Obituary of Gene Lester
Gene Lester, 79, resident of Country Place and of Pearland, TX for 48 years, went to be with
his Lord and Savior on September 18, 2022.
Gene and his twin brother, Dean, were born on March 15, 1943 to Fred and Amy Lester in
Ringling, Oklahoma. He spent his childhood in Ringling, North Texas, and Blythe, California.
Gene served in the U.S. Army from 1964 -1966 and was stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska.
He came to Houston in 1967 to visit his sister Mary and family. That is when he met Carol
who lived two houses away. After two weeks, he told Carol that he was staying because one
day she would marry him. Shortly after that, he asked if he could go to church with her. He
then stated he wanted to be baptized and accepted Jesus as his Savior.
He is preceded in death by his parents and sisters Mary Stewart and Gayla Lester. He is
survived by the love of his life and devoted wife of 54 years Carol, brothers Doug Warren
Lester and Dean (Sue) Lester, and sister-in-law Joyce (Tom) Peryam.
Gene and Carol were married on April 20,1968 in Houston, TX and were blessed with three
children, Doug Lester, Tammie (Kevin) Allen, and Jeff (Dawn) Lester. They are the proud
grandparents of Lauren (Brady) Lindsay, Payton Judd (Lexi Burse), Karson Allen, Kalynn
Allen, Mitchell Lester and Presley Lester, and delighted great-grandparents to Blaize Lindsay,
Hayes Burse, Daxton and Dakota Domokos.
Affectionately known as "Papa Gene" to all, Gene was blessed and delighted with his large
and loving extended family of nieces and nephews, their children and grandchildren. Papa
Gene and Mimi Carol's doors were always open for their children's friends to come and visit
and some even moved in.
Gene enjoyed a long career in the trucking industry since the age of 18. In both California
and Texas, he held various positions at various trucking companies as a driver, dispatcher,
manager, terminal manager at Channel Trucking and co-owner of Wood Brothers Trucking.
Gene's hobby was team-roping with his son Doug, and being a part of the World Series Team
Roping rodeo circuit. He was passionate about coaching Jeff and Doug's sports activities and
in Tammie he found a kindred spirit. He was a lifetime member of the Houston Livestock
Show and Rodeo. He loved John Wayne movies and watching Houston Astros baseball.
Pallbearers are Kevin Allen, Karson Allen, Mitchell Lester, Tim Stewart, Kirk Savage and Paul
Reyes. Honorary Pallbearers are Larry Wood, Ralph Senior, Robert Frers, Kenny Lillie, Bill Kimble
and Dean Wight Lester.
Visitation
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Friday, September 23, 2022
Clayton Funeral Home Pearland
5530 W. Broadway
Pearland, TX
(281) 485-4446
Funeral Service
1:00 pm
Saturday, September 24, 2022
Epiphany Lutheran Church Family Life Center
5515 W. Broadway
Pearland, TX
(281) 485-7833
Officiants Pastor Jon Salminen and Pastor Nathan Misch
Interment at South Park Cemetery
1310 N. Main St.
Pearland, TX
(281) 509-9228
Please join the family for the Reception at the Church after the burial
Visitation
Service
In Loving Memory
Gene Lester
1943 - 2022
About Us
Clayton Funeral Home and Cemetery Services is family-owned and operated, and pledges a continued commitment to serve the families of our community. We believe in sincere, professional, and affordable service.
Our Locations
5530 W. Broadway
Pearland, Texas 77581
201 South 3rd St.
La Porte, Texas 77571