Lewis Rhea Timberlake

TIMBERLAKE, LEWIS RHEA (1931 ~ 2012)

The following obituary was published on December 14, 2012, in the Austin American Statesman.

Lewis was born on December 14, 1931 in Levelland, TX to Milton and Neoma Timberlake. He passed away on December 11, 2012. Lewis was raised in Stamford, TX and graduated from Stamford High School in 1949.

After serving his country in the Army from 1953 to 1955, he returned to Stamford and began a career as an insurance salesman. Seven years later he became President of the same insurance company. In 1968, he established Timberlake & Associates and devoted his time to helping others through seminars, speeches and training programs. Paul Harvey once called Lewis "America's Apostle of Optimism." For over forty years Lewis was one of the most sought after public speakers and management consultants in the country.

In 1999 members of the National Speakers Association bestowed upon him the coveted honor of CPAE and elected him to the National Speakers Hall of Fame. In addition to being the author of three books, he worked with many companies including several Fortune 500 companies for over twenty years each.

He was the state campaign manager for John Connally's third and Dolph Briscoe's first successful bids for Governor. Other leadership positions include President of the Texas Historical Association, President of the Texas Jaycees, Vice President of the U.S. Jaycees, Chairman of the Texas State Commission for the Blind, President of the Texas Law Enforcement and Youth Development Foundation, and Vice President of the Texas Baptist Men. Among his many honors Lewis was named Outstanding Young Men of Texas, Who's Who in the South and Southwest, Five Outstanding Young Texans, The National Jaycees Hall of Leadership, Leading Men in America, The Texas Society for the Prevention of Blindness' Man of Vision, and the Institute for Management Studies Distinguished Faculty Award.

He was both a leader and a servant in his church. For over forty years Lewis faithfully taught Sunday School Classes at Allandale Baptist, Hyde Park Baptist, and Austin Baptist Church. He loved his church and found strength in both the Good News of the Gospel and the fellowship of his many friends there.

More than anything else he loved his family. His greatest joy was being surrounded by a family that he loved unconditionally and unequivocally. And was loved and admired by them in kind. Those that knew Lewis are deeply saddened by his passing. He was a leader with a servants heart, a friend that could be counted on to still be a friend when everyone else may have turned away, and a husband, father, and grandfather that led his family by providing a Godly example of unwavering commitment.

Lewis is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Don, and his son Craig. He is survived by his wife of 58 years , Georgia Ann Timberlake, son Brad Timberlake and wife Judy, daughter Terri Clodfelter and husband Terry, grandchildren Lauren Timberlake, Brandon Timberlake and wife Emily, Jeff Clodfelter, Emily Clodfelter, step grandson Andrew Haggard, and great grandson Brady Timberlake.

The family will receive friends at the Cook-Walden Funeral Home at 6100 N. Lamar Blvd. Austin, TX from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, December 14. Memorial services will be at 4:00 p.m., Saturday at the Austin Baptist Church, 7016 Ribelin Ranch Dr. Austin, TX 78750 with Dr. Gary Dyer officiating. Honorary pallbearers are the Lamplighter Class of Austin Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Austin Baptist Church. Services are under the direction of Cook-Walden Funeral Home.