Jesse Coker Lester

Jesse Coker Lester

February 13, 1934-December 30, 2023

Jesse Coker Lester, 89, was called to heaven on December 30, 2023. He passed away at home in Lakewood, California, with his wife Nancy, son James, and daughter-in-law Denise by his side. Born in Dadeville, Alabama, February 13, 1934, he was the only son and 7th of nine children born to Jessie Carl and Rebecca Coker Lester.

Jesse was a spirited and hard-working farm boy. He was up before sunrise for chores and walking miles to school, but then, occasionally, traipsed through a neighbor’s field on the way home from school to break open a watermelon to enjoy the heart before dropping the shell for a new one. On Saturdays, he often worked with his dad to take a butchered cow door-to-door, providing fresh beef to the community.  He graduated from Dadeville High School, where his father’s name is engraved in marble as one of the founders.

He served in the United States Air Force as Airman First Class 1953-57 with tours of duty including the Philippines, Japan, and the Hawaiian Islands.  While on leave one weekend, he attended Calvary Baptist Church in Long Beach, California, and met a beautiful brunette, Nancy Louise Eldred. The first date that September 1956 resulted in a whirlwind romance and marriage December 14, 1956.  After a few moves and the end of Jesse’s military service, they settled in Lakewood, California, where they remained for most of their married life.  Children Kathryn, Sandy, and James followed.  Jesse took his family camping, boating, water skiing, and fishing and enjoyed hosting friends for homemade ice cream (double vanilla) and a “well done” BBQ. While busy raising his family, Jesse undertook home improvements, personal development (such as Toast Masters weekday evenings), and continued service at church.

For the majority of Jesse’s professional career, he worked for the federal government as a Quality Assurance Engineer at a wide range of government contract sites.  After retirement, he continued his decades of church leadership, overseeing property management and improvements, contributing to spiritual organizational decisions, and ensuring biblically and legally based fiscal management.  He joined the Christian Motorcycle Association (CMA), serving multiple years as Chaplain while enjoying his Goldwing; undertook detailed custom woodworking projects for churches, family, and friends; and enjoyed many travel adventures, which included a stay at McGinnis Meadows Cattle and Guest Ranch.

God was first for Jesse; then, he was devoted to his family and friends. His favorite thing was time with family. He had a spirit of helping others, accepting them as is; he was humble and patriotic; and was known for his wisdom.  For the sake of his family, he continued fighting cancer until his final days.  He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Nancy; daughter and son-in-law, Kathryn and James Marshall; daughter and family: Sandy and Rick Farewell, their son Ryan and wife Jasmine Farewell; and daughters: Ellie, Penny, and Mia; and son and family: James and Denise Lester and sons Jesse and David; sisters Colleen Davis, Geneva Messer, and Sandra Rodger; and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Long Beach Rescue Mission.