Wilbur C. Lewis

Wilbur C. Lewis, M.D. died Friday, December 3, 2004, at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City. He was born September 10, 1930, in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, to Charles D. and Eula Cole Lewis, now deceased. An Eagle Scout, a photographer, a deacon, and an ordained minister, he was a graduate of Okmulgee High School, Oklahoma Baptist University, and the Oklahoma University School of Medicine. He interned at Harris Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas, and had surgical residencies at the Dallas V.A Hospital and the OU Health Sciences Center. Following his Dallas surgical residency, he spent two years in the Air Force as a Captain in the Medical Corps. From 1959-1970, he served as a medical missionary in the Baptist Hospital of Asuncion, Paraguay. After his return from Paraguay, he established a private surgical practice in Midwest City, 1970-1982, and in Oklahoma City, 1982-1993. During those years, he was on the staff and courtesy staff of metropolitan hospitals. Following his return from Paraguay, he and six other professionals established the Baptist Medical-Dental Fellowship (BM-DF), an organization of Christian physicians and dentists dedicated to carrying health care in international settings. That group has proliferated and ministers to thousands throughout the world. He was also a member of the Christian Medical & Dental Society, an interdenominational group with a similar mission as the BM-DF. Dr. Lewis was also involved with other organizations which offered, medical education to practioners in third world countries, and he traveled widely providing educational assistance. In October, 1993, he was knighted by the Knights of Malta for his activities of benevolence. Lewis married his wife, Gladys Sherman, January 28, 1955, at Exchange Avenue Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. They are the parents of Karen Lewis Kruger, David Lewis, Leanne Lewis Newman, and Cristen Lewis DeGraffenreid. Spouses of the children are Howard Kruger, Sadako Lewis, Carey Newman, and Mark DeGraffenreid. The Lewis grandchildren are Jason Lewis, Lisa Honn, Olivia Honn, Savannah Newman, Eliza Newman, Sam Kruger, Jake Kruger, Ezra Kruger, Erica DeGraffenreid, and Patti DeGraffenreid. Other family survivors include Charles and Maida Lewis, Frank and Beverly Lewis, Rose Livingston, Minnie Sherman, Connie Burroughs, and nine nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at First Baptist Church, Oklahoma, City, Tuesday, December 7, 2004, at 11 am., with burial at Arlington Memorial Gardens in Midwest City. Visitation will be offered at the home, 2220 N.E. 131st Street, Edmond, Oklahoma, from 3-5 p.m., Monday afternoon, December 6. Visitors should use the driveway on the west side of the house and enter by the furthest south door on the west side of the house. The family requests that, instead of flowers, donations be sent to one of the two following scholarship funds: 'Lewis University Scholarship for Paraguayan Baptist Medical/Nursing Students Fund,' addressed to Donald West, Director of Endowments, International Mission Board, P.O. Box 6767, Richmond, VA 23230-0767; or 'The Scholarship Fund.' Baptist Medical-Dental Fellowship, 920 Madison Avenue, Suite 825, Memphis, TN 38103.