Obituary of John Brice Lester, Jr.

John Brice Lester, Jr., died peacefully in his home on Hilton Head Island on September 29, 2023.  He was 89 years old.

John was born in McPherson, Kansas on December 2, 1933, to John Brice Lester, Sr., and Eugenia Moncravie Lester.  Shortly after his birth, the family moved to California where John grew up.  He attended Glendale High School and then the University of Southern California.  At USC he majored in Engineering and was part of the Air Force ROTC.  He graduated in 1957.

After graduating college John served in the United States Air Force as a Navigator in the Strategic Air Command. After his time on active duty, he remained in the Air Force Reserves.  He was honorably discharged from service at the rank of Captain in 1974. 

Upon leaving the Air Force, John began a career with engineering and construction companies serving the oil refining and petrochemical industries.  He co -founded E&L Associates an engineering and construction company is Southern California.

In 1965, John met and married his wife of nearly 45 Years.  The couple had two children, Jennifer Michele Lester Naddy of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, and Michael Boyd Lester of Bluffton, South Carolina.  John and Anne lived in and raised their family in Newport Beach, California for 40 years until retiring in Hilton Head South Carolina in 2008. 

John was active in Baptist Ministry and follower of Jesus Christ.  His generosity and kindness are remembered by all who knew him. 

John is predeceased by his wife Anne Lester, February 2011.  John is survived by his daughter and son- in- law Michele and Tom Naddy of Hilton Head, SC; his son and daughter-in-law Michael and Jodi Lester of Bluffton, SC; his five grandchildren, Ryan, Logan, Griffin, Christian and Meghan Naddy. 

Mr. Lester will be buried at Six Oaks Cemetery on October 10, 2023.