Honorable Thomas C. “Tom” Lester, Sr., 78, of Oakley, California, died November 26, 2001 at his residence.
Memorial services will be held at 1 PM, Saturday, April 8, 2006, at Evergreen Cemetery in Fitzgerald, with Rev. Kelly Brown officiating.
A native of Fitzgerald, Mr. Lester was born February 28, 1923, to the late Thomas Lewis and Bertha “Bobbie” Lee Dykes Lester. He was a veteran of the United States Marine Corp, serving from 1941 to 1945 aboard the USS Saratoga. He was discharged at the rank of Sergeant and was awarded the Purple Heart. Mr. Lester was a member of NASCAR in the early 1950’s and was a private pilot. He was a 33 degree Mason of Pine Level lodge # 353 F&AM, serving as Past-Master, was a member of the VFW, the American Legion, the Ben Hillbillies, serving as Past-President and was a Shriner, spending many hours transporting children to and from the Shriners Hospitals for Crippled Children. Mr. Lester was retired Chief of Security Police and Safety Inspector at Oakland Army Base and was former Chief Magistrate Judge of Ben Hill County. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Fitzgerald, teaching the Baracca Sunday School Class for 7 years.
He was survived by his wife of 57 years: Ida Elizabeth Lester, Oakley, CA; daughter: Elizabeth Ann (Rob) Banas, Antioch, CA; sons: Thomas C. (Susan) Lester, Jr., Oakley, CA and Terry “Bill” (Raeteen) Lester, Fremont, CA; 9 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren; sister: Ann Stillman, Chesapeake, VA; brother: W.J. “Jack” Lester, Birmingham, AL. He was preceded in death by a sister, Mildred Smith.
Memorials may be made to Shriners Crippled Children’s Hospital, 2425 Stockton Blvd. Sacramento, CA 95817.