Lester Duane Lorenz

Lester Duane Lorenz was called home on September 5, 2025. Les, also affectionately called Lassie or G-Pops, was born on November 26, 1933, on a farm in Okeene, Oklahoma, to Hilda and Henry Lorenz. Life on the farm gave him an early lesson in hard work and resilience, a foundation that carried him through the rest of his life. In 1953, Les joined the United States Air Force, where he spent four years stationed at Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. During that time, his heart remained back home with Laverne. In a gesture that perfectly captured both his practicality and his devotion, Les proposed by sending an engagement ring through the mail. Just ten months before his honorable discharge, they were married in a little white chapel in Okeene, beginning a marriage that would last 69 years. Together, Les and Laverne built their home and their family. They raised two children, Jennifer and Jeff, teaching them by example the values of honesty, hard work, and kindness. Les first worked at Fritz Furniture, where his personality and natural salesmanship quickly stood out. It wasn't long before those same qualities caught the attention of Prudential Insurance, who offered him a position that would shape the next 28 years of his career until his retirement in 1993. Faith was always central to Les's life. He and Laverne were charter members of Enid Emanuel Church, where he loved greeting and getting to know everyone who entered the door. With a warm handshake and a smile, Les had a way of making everyone who entered feel welcome and at home. Outside of work and church, Les loved life's adventures. He had a lifelong fondness for anything that could go…boats, four-wheelers, golf carts, and was happiest in motion. He loved animals, cherished time at the cabin he and Laverne shared in Cleveland, Oklahoma, and never missed a chance to fish or play a round of golf. One of his proudest moments came in 2007, when he scored a hole-in-one, a story he delighted in sharing. He was also a loyal fan of the Dallas Cowboys and OU football, cheering faithfully every season. He was no stranger to hard work and could build just about anything including a safe and loving environment for his family. His family will remember him as a steady presence, a man of humor and heart, and someone who made each of them feel deeply loved. Les is preceded in death by his parents, Hilda and Henry Lorenz, his brother Gerald, and his sister Geneva. He is survived by the love of life, Laverne; his son, Jeff Lorenz (Lynn) and daughter Jennifer Lorenz; his grandchildren, Chris Lorenz, Allie Schreier (Adam), his great-grandson, Arlo. He was also blessed with many other treasured family members. Les's life was one marked by devotion to his family, his faith, his work, and the simple joys that made each day meaningful. His presence was like a warm hug; steady, comforting, and filled with love and laughter. He will be remembered for his quick smile, his tireless work ethic, and the way he never met a stranger. Though the world feels a little less full without him, his legacy will live on. As Lester-Les-Lassie-G-Pops and his dad always said…Well, Hack shucks boys, after all what the heck! Donations may be made to the 4RKids Foundation through Anderson Burris Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, September 11th at Memorial Park Cemetery in Enid, followed by a luncheon at Enid Emanuel Church.