Jess Lawrence Lester, 88, of Sterling, died at home July 25, 2010, following health problems for several years. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 28, at Chaney-Reager Funeral Home, with Joe Cucarola officiating. Services will conclude at the funeral home. A reception at the VFW, Eighth and Phelps, will follow the service.

Mr. Lester was born Oct. 12, 1921, in Heartman, to John and Nellie (Goudy) Lester.
He served in the U.S. Army as staff sergeant until Oct. 4, 1945. He traveled until he met his wife, Edna Louise Wood, in Wyoming and married her on April 6, 1947.

The couple settled with their eight children in Colorado in the early 1960s. Jess Lester Sr. They ran two cafés, one in Nebraska and the other in Merino, and several businesses in Sterling. He was an auto mechanic for many years before retiring.

Mr. Lester was a longtime member of VFW and DAV in Sterling. He enjoyed TV, cards, dancing and bowling.

He is survived by one sister, Annabelle "Tink" Young of Texas; sons, John and wife Barbara, Jess LeRoy Jr. and wife Bernadette, Jack and James Dale, all of Sterling; daughters, Icel Haynes and husband Thomas of Sterling, Nancy Study and husband Jerry, Betty Floyd and husband LaVar, and Linda Lester, all of Brush; 20 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; 13 step-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, six sisters and one brother.
Memorials may be made to the Jess L. Lester Sr. Memorial Fund.