Dennis Letts

WAGONER – Dennis Letts, 73, university English professor and actor, died Friday, Feb. 22, in Tulsa.His memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, at Mallett Funeral Home Chapel in Wagoner. Dennis was born Sept. 5, 1934, in Oklahoma City, to Haskell and Hazel Letts, who preceded him in death.He was raised in Wagoner and graduated from Wagoner High School. He served for four years in the Air Force, and then received bachelors’ and masters’ degrees from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah and the University of Tulsa, earned his PhD from the University of Illinois, and lectured in Denmark on a Fulbright grant. Dennis taught writing and literature in several colleges and universities, including Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, before he began acting professionally at age 50, appearing in more than 40 films and television shows, including “Little Boy Blue,” “Infamous,” “Secondhand Lions,” “Cast Away,” “Perfect World,” “Bloodsuckers from Outer Space” and “Where the Heart Is,” the film version of a novel written by his wife.He served as editor of his wife’s novels, which have won awards and appeared on the New York Times best-seller list. Throughout his years as a professor, Dennis performed in community and college stage productions, and his love of the theater transitioned into his professional acting career. He recently performed in two original plays in Austin, Texas: “Dead Presidents’ Club” by Larry L. King and “Sonny’s Last Shot” by Lawrence Wright. Dennis was currently appearing at the Imperial Theater on Broadway in “August: Osage County,” a play written by his son, Tracy.The biggest interest in Dennis’ life was his family. He was husband to Billie Letts of Tulsa; father to three sons, Dana Letts and wife, Deborah, of Wagoner, Shawn Letts and wife, Shari, of Singapore, and Tracy Letts and partner, Nicole Wiesner, of Chicago, Ill.; brother to Ray Don Letts and wife, Mary, of Cherokee, N.C.; uncle to Brad Letts; a dear relative to his extended family; and good friend, mentor, and surrogate father to many.Friends are making memorial contributions to the North Tulsa Heritage Foundation, c/o Greenwood Cultural Center, 322 N. Greenwood Ave., Tulsa, Okla., 74120.Mallett Funeral Home, 417 E. Cherokee St., Wagoner, (918) 485-2911.