Lewis Wayne True

Lewis Wayne (LW) True was a beloved husband to Steve Anna and father to Kimbereley, Gregory and Steven. Born in 1939, he was one of seven children raised by Earl and Emma True. As a child, he grew up working on the family farm and attended both Cole School and Pryor High School.

On July 15, 1959, he married the love of his life, Steve Anna Gregory. After having his first two children in the early 1960’s, he began working public occupations with corporations such as, GRDA and DX. His education and work career did not end there. He became a skilled machinist, blueprint drafter, construction inspector, and much more. The respect others had of his work skills, education, and people skills, eventually lead him into teaching at Northeast Vo-Tech, Claremore Jr. College and Oklahoma State University. The list of his accomplishments are extensive, but the love of farming and ranching was the occupation he enjoyed the most, probably because he could use not just one skill but all his skills.

In 1971, L.W. and Steve Anna were blessed with their third child, Steven. He was considered a miracle baby. Steven grew up following his father around the farm as a toddler, holding onto his father’s back pocket. A few years after Steven’s birth, L.W. and Steve Anna sold the first house L.W. had built and their 20 acres northeast of Pryor. They purchased 200 acres and a fixer-upper northwest of Adair. Both parents continued to work full time for several years, with L.W. retiring first to focus on the farming and ranching.

In 2006, they sold their farm and built a residence at 201 N. Coo-Y-Yah in Pryor, property previously owned by Steve Anna’s grandmother, Iris Henson. L.W. enjoyed gardening and would give away fruits and vegetables to family and friends.

Upon Steve Anna’s retirement, L.W.’s desire for travel, became their passion. They spent time together planning, navigating, driving to and touring destinations all over the United States. The met people from all areas of the country and made many happy memories.

The above information are the facts of L.W.’s life but the real point of his life was about service to others. One of his grandchildren, Kyle Risner wrote this of his grandfather:

“Grandad always seemed to be totally present and ready to help his family with anything, with a smile, and he didn't seek recognition for it either. I remember him doing some pretty messy tasks at Deb's house after her husband died and it struck me how he was just humming to himself while he did the work, like there was nowhere else he'd rather be. Same as when he was working the cows on the farm when I was a kid. He just seemed to live to serve his family and was at peace doing whatever needed to be done at the moment.

He had no discs left in his back and I never once heard him complain or even show much discomfort! Despite his toughness he was also good natured and good humored. Him and Derrick and I have a bunch of inside jokes, especially from that summer Derrick worked with him (and I mostly rode around all day on a dirt bike). He made those lunchbreaks an event we'll always remember even though we were just having sandwiches.

And he knew how to do EVERYTHING (seemed like it, haha). He taught us to fish, how to drive, even got me to build a very nice fence. He could farm, do electrician work, and fix just about anything. And he built a house with Steve in his 70s after battling cancer. He was quietly an amazing person.”

L.W. True fits in the category of a man who has served God and others well. He lived a life of serving others. L.W. was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend and neighbor. He lived Matthew 25:40 "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'’ He will be sincerely and deeply missed.

L.W. True was preceded in death by his wife Steve Anna True, his sister, Bernice Baisden, brothers, Ed, Lawton, Boyd, John and Dennis True and parents Earl and Emma True.