Commander Dobbs

Commander Lewis Lilburn Dobbs, 83, a man of God, passed over into Glory on Wednesday, May 19, 2010 at St. Vincent Infirmary Medical Center in Little Rock. His body succumbed to respiratory failure after coronary bypass surgery on April 27th. He is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, 11 months, Jonnie M. Dobbs, and two daughters, Robin C. Dobbs and KevinAnne Dobbs, all of Little Rock. Lewis loved and provided for his family beyond measure.
He was born in Little Rock on September 12, 1926 to W.L. and Gladys Dobbs, their only child. He began work early in life at a local ice cream manufacturer in 1939, adding a newspaper route the next year. In 1941, he was an automobile service station attendant in the Hillcrest area and a salesman at J.C. Penney & Co. in 1942. Graduating from Little Rock Senior High School (now Central High) in 1943, he continued his studies at Little Rock Junior College (now UALR). He was an early member and Cadet of the Arkansas Civil Air Patrol in 1943. In 1944, he worked for the Missouri Pacific and Missouri & No. Arkansas Railroads as an assistant mail clerk. Lewis studied at Wheaton College of Illinois, Kansas University and at the University of Wisconsin. He received a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Illinois in 1948 and a Master's Degree in English from Kansas University in 1963. He knew five languages, and for the pure joy of learning, completed 35 correspondence courses through the University of Wisconsin.
Lewis served his country for 33 years as a U.S. Naval Aviator, flying over 10,000 hours accident free. He was on active duty during WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Commander Dobbs was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal for greatly improving Naval Aviation Combat Training Procedures during the Vietnam War. Following retirement, he served as the Commanding Officer of the Parkview High School Navy Junior ROTC Unit for 12 years. His Cadets won numerous national honors during his tenure and many went on to attend the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, becoming career officers.
He loved to travel, read, race sailboats and play golf. Most of all, he loved studying The Bible. God was the center of his life. He was a member and mentor at Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock. Lewis served as a men's discussion leader in Bible Study Fellowship for 25 years and was enrolled in Community Bible Study this year. He was a member of The President's Club of Dallas Theological Seminary and of The Association of Wheaton (Bible) College.
For a number of years, he and Jonnie were members of The American Rose Society and conducted evaluations of test roses in their garden for a nationally known nursery. They gathered much joy from gardening together. Lewis loved all God's creatures, in particular, his long line of Boston Terriers.
Services will be Saturday, May 22 at 10:00 a.m. at Fellowship Bible Church, 1401 Kirk Rd., Little Rock, officiated by Pastors Bill Parkinson and Shelby Smith. Interment with Military Honors will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Alexander. The family will greet friends at the church beginning at 9:00 a.m. until time of the service. Memorials may be made to the Arkansas Foodbank, 8121 Distribution Dr., Little Rock, AR 72209 or to a charity of one's choice.
Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., Little Rock, (501)224-2200. Lewis' online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.