Obituary of Roy Lewis

Roy James Lewis was born January 18, 1927 in Porum, OK to Ben F. and Velma (Branch) Lewis. He passed from this life Friday, March 2, 2012 in Tulsa at the age of 85. He was reared in Hartford, AR, where he graduated Valedictorian and was President of the Class of 1944. He earned degrees from Arkansas Polytechnic University, where he was President of the Class of 1955, and from the University of Tulsa. He served in the United Sates Navy during World War II. Roy was an active member of Boston Avenue Methodist Church. He was Past President of the Rotary Club of Tulsa, Tulsa Area Chapter of Freedoms Foundation, Tulsa Education Association and Tulsa Metropolitan Retired Educators Association. Roy was a member of the Hartford Masonic Lodge, Tulsa Scottish Rite Consistory 33* where he served as President of the Tulsa Scottish Rite Charitable and Educational Foundation, and the Akdar Shrine. Roy was named recipient of the Scottish Rite Grand Cross award in 2011. Since 1957, Roy served as Secretary/Treasurer of the Oklahoma Educational Memorial Trust Foundation which has granted more than $2.3 million in college scholarships to graduates of Tulsa Public Schools. He was recipient of the Freedoms Foundation American Educators Medal while serving as Principal of Will Rogers High School. Roy was named American Business Women's Association Boss of the Year in 1983. Roy was preceded in death by his parents; his two brothers, Thomas David and Bernard Paul Lewis; two nephews, James and Donald Lewis. He is survived by two nephews, Larry Lewis and his wife, Margaret of Duncanville, TX, Michael Lewis and his wife, Teresa of Midlothian, TX; and special friend, Dr. Gwen Humphrey of Tulsa. The family will receive friends 5 - 7:00 pm Tuesday at Ninde Brookside Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held 2:00 pm Wednesday at Boston Avenue Methodist Church. Graveside committal will be 1:00 pm Thursday at Hartford Cemetery, Hartford, AR. In lieu of flowers, friends may contribute in Roy's memory to the Oklahoma Educational Memorial Trust Foundation, PO Box 470208, Tulsa, OK 74147 or Boston Avenue Methodist Church Endowment Fund, 1301 S. Boston Ave., Tulsa, OK 74119. Ninde Funeral Directors, Brookside Chapel 918-742-5556 www.ninde.com