Lester Eugene Burleson

Lester Eugene Burleson Lester was born on February 5, 1927, in Kisatchie, LA, to Lula Eva and James Chacelor Burleson. He graduated to heaven after an unbelievable brave, twelve-year flight with renal failure on February 26, 2016. Lester was one of five siblings; he was preceded in death by Exie, Homer and TruDell. He is survived by one sister, Verla Mae, Leesville, LA. Lester grew up in rural Louisiana and after graduation from high school in 1944, he enlisted in the Navy. He saw action in both WWII and the Korean War and stayed in the Navy as an electrician for nine more years. However, tiring of sea-sickness every time he left port for sea duty, he resigned from the Navy and enlisted in the Air Force and served for ten years more before retiring from the military. After his service career was complete he worked for the Postal Service and then the State of Louisiana before total retirement in 1983. While finishing his working career, Lester revived his faith in Christ and was ordained in the Southern Baptist Church. He pastored several nursing homes and three rural churches while in Louisiana. Lester also was a Mason for 36 years; 33 of those years he was a Master Mason. Wanting to be close to their grandchildren, Lester and wife, Helen, moved to Vancouver where they were active members of Cross-Point Baptist Church. During their retirement they enjoyed family, friends, dominos, Skip-Bo and traveling far and wide. Lester married Helen Marie Crager in December 1947 and they were blessed with two children: Loretta Jean (John), and Donald Ray (Amanda Kay). Later they were proud grandparents of Patricia Lee and Margaret Marie and great-grandparents of Joshua (deceased 2013). In December of 2006, after 59 years of marriage, Helen died at the age of 76. In April of 2008, Lester married Betty Gean Rhine. Betty brought her four children into the now vibrant and expanded family: Lloyd (Brenda), Nick (Tonia), Lillian (Glenn), Roy (Lisa) and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. Lester and "Go-Go" Betty burned up the roads, airways and sea-lanes in their happy family and friend filled eight years together. "Never a better Christian Man, all your love and labor so well done; now fly away"

Lester Eugene Burleson

February 5, 1927 - February 26, 2016