Lewis Perry Wainwright Sr.

Survived by his daughter, Lori Lynn Wainwright (and Mark T. Britton), son, Lewis Perry Wainwright, Jr. and wife Lisa, daughter Susan Wainwright Frickey and husband Thomas Anthony “Tony “and son-in-law Charles “Chuck” Armbruster. Grandchildren, Danielle, Myan and Erren Armbruster; Sabra Davis (and Justin), Madison and Lew Wainwright; Maximo Bye; and great grandson, Noah Davis. Former spouse, Gloria Dunnington Beins, and numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by parents, Louise and Floyd Wainwright, brothers, Frankie and Floyd Wainwright, Jr., sister Joy Addison, daughter Lou Ann Wainwright Vicari, son-in-law, Michael Shawn Miller and granddaughter Savannah Elise Miller. Lewis Perry Wainwright was born and raised in Hammond, LA. His youth was spent learning hard work ethic and thrift and in cultivating his natural born tendency to be a mischievous instigator. A lightening quick wit and tongue, he liked nothing so much as getting a reaction from someone. He was fiercely independent and strongly opinionated. Lewis was Lewis straight up, but his rough and tough exterior belied a truly loving heart. He was generous and quick to give to those he found in genuine need. Lewis was gifted with a mechanical aptitude. He spent most of his working years as a hydraulic diesel mechanic operating Wainwright Repairs. He loved to tinker, fix, weld and give instruction to those around him in the utilization of tools and the realities of mechanics. And he never once minded telling them exactly how to do it right! Within the last few weeks of his life and despite wearing oxygen 24/7, he managed to be upright in the wheelchair, outside and leaning forward with a wrench in hand, helping to tune up an old generator in case the power went out. He had an impressive gun collection over the years and was a motorcycle enthusiast. Only giving up the latter within the last year of his life when he decided that he’d laid the bike down one too many times. He spent many seasons of his life in his beloved San Juan Mountains of Colorado. 4x4ing, elk hunting, hiking, watching the wildlife, ice fishing and trying to hit the high mark snowmobiling. Family and friends will fondly remember that Lewis was all about good friends, good food and good times. His sincere appreciation for a good dog, sweet-n-pretty ladies, a Bud Light and a sip of Jack must also be mentioned. He proudly served his country, joining the United States Army at the age of 17. He was a member of Service Battery, 52nd Field Artillery Battalion, 24th Infantry Division. He was first assigned to occupational duty in Japan where his most pressing work was “chasing pretty Japanese girls.” Unexpectedly, this ideal duty came to an end, and he found himself on the first ammunition truck into Korea as his single infantry battalion barely totaling 400 men made up mostly of teenagers with insufficient equipment was sent to face an enemy that outnumbered them 10:1. He faced unsurmountable odds as part of Task Force Smith. He earned a Bronze Star for Meritorious Service performing his duties for long periods of time under the most adverse conditions without rest or relief (he said he was awake for days) and aiding in the defeat of the enemy in several road blocks by fighting his way through without loss of vehicle or supplies and voluntarily taking on additional duty as a rifleman during intense action. It bothered him that Korea was the forgotten war and that the scarce mention it received was often tempered and made palatable for the general public. In Lewis’ memory, we ask everyone with the ability to take five minutes and google Task Force Smith in order to better understand what he and his fellow soldiers endured for each of us. Lewis felt a patriotic duty to the soldiers and warriors that he felt are overlooked in our society. He was a continual contributor and supporter of the Wounded Warrior Project. A Christian man, he walked the faith, grateful for his blessings. Listening to gospel Sunday mornings on tv when he couldn’t go to church anymore. Humble, never complaining during his illness, gasping for air in laughter, strong and brave and true to the very end. Heaven surely burns brighter with him there, but our world is a definite shade darker with him gone. Family and friends are invited to attend the Celebration of Life Barbecue to share their special Lewis stories and memories on Sunday, June 23, 2019 from 12:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Lewis' home by the pond.

Tributes

Lewis Perry Wainwright Sr.

January 22, 1932 - May 30, 2019