Wilbur Harold Lewallen

Memorial visitation for Harold Lewallen, 94, of Nacogdoches will be held from 5:00-7:00pm on Friday, February 6, 2026 at Laird Funeral Home.

For his family and dear friends in West Texas, there will be a Memorial Service held at 10:00am on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home in Odessa. Visitation will be held prior to the service, beginning at 9:00am.

Mr. Lewallen passed away on Saturday, January 24, 2026 in Nacogdoches. He was born on January 5, 1932 in DeLeon, Texas to Clifford and Nannie Craddick Lewallen.

Harold lived in many communities throughout Texas, including Stephenville, Marshall, Midland, and Odessa, and also spent time in Shreveport, Louisiana. On November 25, 1964, he married the love of his life, LaRue, in Marshall, Texas. They shared 53 years of marriage before her passing.

Harold had a deep love for music, learning and creativity. One of his greatest joys was designing and printing custom birthday cards for family and friends, a small but meaningful way he stayed connected to those he loved. He also enjoyed traveling to New Mexico, visiting Cloudcroft for leisure and Glorieta for music conferences.

Known affectionately as “Papa Lew,” Harold touched many lives, especially among his church family and the children of First Baptist Church in Odessa. While living there, he and LaRue were active members of the church for many years, serving God’s people and sharing the love of Jesus in the community. Harold sang in the choir and men’s quartet and faithfully served as a greeter in the children’s department alongside his wife. He was music minister for numerous churches for over 10 years, including Colorado City, Mineral Wells, Corsicana and Midland. His great experience in sales came from working for Word Records and Commercial Ice Machine Company during the years of 1963 to 1993, when he decided to “semi” retire, giving him and LaRue the opportunity to open and operate Accelerando Music Service in Odessa. The last 8 years of his life were spent in Nacogdoches with his son, Tim and family. During this time, Papa Lew was able to make beautiful memories that will forever be cherished by Tim and Jenny and his 4 beloved grandchildren.

Harold is survived by his son Tim Lewallen & wife Jenny; grandchildren Chris, Sydney, Joseph and Margie; nephew David Lewallen & wife Cheryl and niece Sherry Lewallen Fox & husband Gerald and great niece and great nephew James Lewallen and Staci Walker and their families.

He was preceded in death by his wife, LaRue Lewallen; brothers, Valton Lewallen and Curtis Lewallen and his sister-in-law, Kathryn Lewallen.

Harold will be remembered for his kindness, his devotion to family and church, his love of music and the quiet, thoughtful ways he made others feel seen and loved. However, his complete commitment to spreading the love of his Lord and Savior will be the great legacy left in the lives of his family and those around him.

The family would like to give thanks to Harbor Hospice, with special recognition going to Tracy and Ti for their kindness and compassion shown to Harold during his time in their care.