Services will be held Friday February 20, 2015 at 10:30 am at the First Baptist Church, Arnett, Oklahoma with burial following in DeBolt Cemetery, Arnett, Oklahoma.

Visitation:
Tuesday ~ 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Wednesday ~ 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Thursday ~ 9:00 am to 7:00 pm
Shaw Funeral Home of Arnett

On February 22, 1930, the eldest son of Jasper Sutton and Agnes Fern Jennings was born in Shattuck, Ok. Richard Lewis joined his older sister Mildred Rae on their farm north of Arnett.
At age 5 Richard Lewis contracted Scarlet Fever and became dangerously ill. The doctors at Newman Hospital were unable to handle his unstable condition and requested he be taken to Wichita for better medical care immediately. The family set out on muddy roads with their child carefully swaddled to eliminate as much vibration as possible. Richard Lewis never forgot the pain he endured on this difficult journey.
Finally on the third day of travel they arrived in Wichita and he underwent emergency surgery to release the pressure on his inner ears. The surgery spared his life but his hearing was sacrificed. This event set in motion the silent world he would live in for the next 80 years.
The Jennings Family remained in Wichita following the surgery to be close to medical help. Richard Lewis attended public school until 11 years of age when he transferred to the Kansas School for the Deaf in Olathe, Kansas. This was also the year the family grew to 5 with the arrival of a new brother, Robert.
There is a story Richard told about the first year he was in deaf school….he said when he arrived he was given a bottom drawer in the boys dormitory. It didn't set well with him but he accepted it. During his first summer break he spent the summer with Grandpa & Grandma Collins in Arnett on the farm chopping wood all summer so when he returned for his second year he said "this time no one was going to tell me what drawer I had to take". This pretty much summed up how he looked at life. Take care of yourself and be responsible for your own needs.
Richard Lewis received his high school diploma in 1948 in a class of 11 students that became lifelong friends. He excelled in sports lettering in football, track and basketball and earned All- American honors in football and track. He was an accomplished Boy Scout receiving many honors for his service and achievements. This is where his carpentry skills started.
In May of 1952 Richard Lewis married Margaret Elaine Hill from Wichita, Ks. They had been friends in public school and knew each other all through deaf school. They made their first home in Wichita while Richard Lewis worked in construction honing his skills as a master woodworker and carpenter. The first 3 children were born in Wichita, Ronnie, Donnie and Bonnie. With a growing family the young couple felt the need to move to the country and changed their address to Arnett, Oklahoma in October of 1961.
With help from family, Richard Lewis established Jennings Construction and completed his first house in 1962. This was also the same year their fourth child, Lewis was born.
Carpentry was his gift and he was an overachiever never accepting mediocre. Richard Lewis built and remodeled countless homes throughout Ellis County and surrounding areas. It was his first joy and lifetime occupation. He made many a homemaker very happy with his accomplishments.
In 1976 Richard and Margaret took over the Jennings dairy and raised registered hogs for years. During this time he farmed and did so until the past few years. He loved "the farm" more than life itself. It was the place of family, history and memories.
Even though communication could be difficult at times Richard Lewis always found a way to tell his stories. Never without a note pad and pen in his pocket. As Ronald Miller can attest to, life with Richard was never boring. To this day the family still hears new stories from earlier years. They might seem comical today but we are sure during the situation it wasn't always so humorous! He was a very loyal friend to those that saw his good and was always the underdog's champion.
For several years Richard Lewis and Margaret enjoyed camping in their fifth-wheel camper. It was their link to their deaf friends during summer time where many an hour of silent conversation took place.
"Papaw" as he was known by all his grandchildren was a loving man. He enjoyed attending basketball and football games, horse shows and stock shows. Anytime the grandkids were in events he and "Gma Maggie" were on the road.
Richard Lewis passed from this life on February 15, 2015 in Shattuck, Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by his father Jasper Jennings, mother, Agnes Collins Jennings, sister Mildred Mishler. He is survived by wife Margaret of the home and four children, "Red" of Arnett, Donald and wife Carol of Perryton, Texas, daughter, Bonnie Waters and husband Don of Stillwater, Ok, and son, Lewis and wife Tracy of Arnett. There are 7 grandchildren; Kyle and Kate Waters of Carson City, CA, Trey Waters of Edmond, Dallas and Mike Henderson of Elmore City, OK, Wade Jennings of Lubbock, Tx, Kris Ann and Randy Blodgett of Lubbock, Tx, Bradley and Kelly Jennings of Enid, OK, and Clay Jennings of Edmond, Ok. There are 6 great-grandchildren; Rylee Moore, Jake Waters, Ryson and Paisley Jennings, Carson and Jocelyn Blodgett. Younger brother, Robert Jennings and wife Glenda of Mustang and a host of family and friends.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to the Oklahoma School for the Deaf 1100 E Oklahoma Ave, Sulphur, OK 73086.