LaWayne Lewis Cart, known to most as Lewis and to some as Chuck or Louie, passed away on May 4, 2026, at Salina Regional Health Center in Salina, Kansas. He was 81 years old.
Born on April 26, 1945, at Norton Hospital in Norton, Kansas, he grew up in Norton and graduated from Norton High School with the Class of 1963.
Following high school, Lewis joined the United States Marines and served in Vietnam. While serving his country, he was shot and suffered combat injuries. He received the Purple Heart and spent many months in a hospital recovering. Once he recovered, he returned to his unit for a period of time and later completed his enlistment.
His service was an important part of his life. He was proud to be a Marine, proud to be a Vietnam veteran, and proud of his involvement with the VFW, Military Order of the Purple Heart, and the American Legion in Salina. But his service was not the only part of his story.
Back home, Lewis worked with his hands. He did carpentry work and helped build steel buildings across the Midwest. He later worked for the Union Pacific Railroad. After being injured while working for the railroad, he stepped away from that work and spent much of his time caring for his home and family.
Earlier in life, Lewis was married twice before marrying Sheila on June 21, 1975. Together, they shared nearly 51 years of marriage and built a home filled with family, visits, stories, and memories.
As a husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, he was steady and dependable. He cared deeply about the people he loved. He was proud of his children and enjoyed being with his family. He was the kind of man who showed love in simple ways, by being there, helping where he could, and making his home a place where people felt welcome.
Fishing was one of the many things Lewis enjoyed, especially trolling for stripers and wipers at Milford Lake. He liked playing cards, holding his grandkids, and spending time with family. Many will remember him wearing a polo shirt with a chest pocket, where he could keep a pen and his glasses. He also enjoyed cars, liked finding a good deal, and loved a dependable, white Buick.
Those who knew him will remember the simple things that made Lewis who he was in his steady ways. He took pride in his family and loved his country. In his spare time, he loved a good game night of cards and wahoo. Most of all, those who knew Lewis will remember the way he loved his family.
He is survived by his wife, Sheila Cart; his daughters, Mary Kay Gardner and her husband, Trooper Ben, and Tamara Wheeler and her husband, Terrance; his stepchildren, David Bixenman and Rosie Bixenman; his brother, Rodney Dial; his grandchildren, Justice, Mason, Parker, Jersey, Megan, Miranda, David Jr., and Nathan; and his great grandchildren, Phoebe, Adisyn, and Jaxson.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ann; his parents, LaVerne Cart and Bessie “Agnes” Alfredia Knapp Rodenbaugh; his son, Darren Cart; and his siblings, Georgia Lee, Russell, and Donna.
A funeral service will be held Monday, May 12, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Roselawn Heights Memorial Chapel, 1920 E. Crawford Street, Salina, Kansas.
A smaller burial gathering will take place Friday, May 29, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery, 5181 Wildcat Creek Road, Manhattan, Kansas, where Lewis’s ashes will be placed at his military headstone.
Memorial donations may be made to the Salina VFW in honor of Lewis’s service and his pride in being a veteran, in care of Heier Scott Mortuary and Cremations, 1920 East Crawford Street, Salina, Kansas 67401.
Lewis will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by the family he loved, the friends who knew him, and all who were fortunate enough to share in his life.