2016 Spirit of America nominee: Dr. T. Wayne Lewis

NOMINATOR: Ella and Joel Pleasant

WHY DO YOU BELIEVE THIS NOMINEE DEMONSTRATES THE SPIRIT OF AMERICA?

I wish to nominate T. Wayne Lewis for this recognition and award. He is an outstanding Christian who serves our community of Jackson and Cape County tirelessly.

First and foremost, he is a dedicated family man and a father to many, and grandfather to more than that!

He has served on too many boards to mention, but the most important one to me as a mother, is his dedication and toil and tears he has put into serving on the Jackson School Board for several terms.

He's received awards and accolades throughout his life, but that is not the reason he "serves." He does it out of the goodness, kindness and compassion of his great big heart!

He also owns and operates a dental practice here in Jackson.

Many years ago, he took on my young son who suffers from mental and physical disabilities. He would not sit still for a dentist to work on, or even clean his teeth. Because of the patience of Wayne, he began to trust him and Wayne did whatever he had to do to care for his dental problems. Recently, my Joel had chipped his front tooth, but Missouri Medicaid would not cover the expenses for it. Wayne sensed our need along with Joel's pride for wanting and needing to look nice and feel good about himself. Wayne offered his services for a new front tooth for Joel. "This one's on me," he told us. He could have sent us to the moon, and we couldn't have been more surprised, nor happier! Wayne "blessed" my son with a new smile the following week.

Needless to say, this ol' Mom is smiling also!

I had always heard rumors of Wayne donating his services to those in need. Now you know just a little of what this giant of a man does in serving our community. Now you know why Joel and I and many more would be thrilled at his winning this very special "SPIRIT OF AMERICA AWARD!"