COL (Retired) Michael B. Lester

It is with a broken heart that we announce, that, after a long illness, Colonel (Retired) Michael B. Lester passed away on Tuesday, March 13, 2018. Mike was born and raised in Houston, TX where he graduated from Milby High School. In 1964, he graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. Two years later, he received a direct commission as a Medical Service Corps Officer in the United States Army. COL(R) Lester's active career spanned 27 years. It included service in the American Division in Vietnam where he received the Bronze Star for service and the Purple Heart for sustaining shrapnel wounds. His leadership positions and units included Medical Company Commander at Fort Sam Houston (FSH), TX; Operations Officer and Executive Officer in the 1st Medical Brigade at Fort Hood, TX. Later, he served as the Chief of Current Operations in the Office of the Army Surgeon General, Pentagon Washington, D.C, where, he discovered his love for long distance running. As a LTC, he commanded the 85th Medical Battalion at Fort Meade, MD. and completed two consecutive Marine Corps Marathons. He completed his military career as the Program Manager for a new $350 million Army medical logistics program, Theater Army Medical Management Information System (TAMMIS). This included securing congressional funding, testing and fielding the system in combat during Operation Just Cause and Operation Desert Shield/Storm. TAMMIS began revolutionizing the way blood and medical supplies were managed and delivered on the battlefield and worldwide. After military retirement in 1992, Mike started a second career as a Financial Advisor partnering with American Express IDS, where he served as an Advanced Planner. After medical issues forced his second career retirement, Mike became involved with a number volunteer organizations to include life memberships in the Alamo Silver Wings Airborne Association (ASWAA) and the Harley Owner Group (HOG). Mike and his wife, Ginny participated in numerous rallies and events all over the country to include the Washington, D.C Rolling Thunder Rally. Mike also served as Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) and was a graduate of the San Antonio Citizens' Police Academy (CPA), as well as, the San Antonio Police Department Volunteers in Policing (VIP). Mike was a life member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH), Chapter #1836. With the cooperation of the City of San Antonio, he and other Chapter members were responsible for funding, designing and building the City's only official MOPH Memorial, currently placed near the front steps of the Bexar County Courthouse, located in downtown San Antonio. Through his involvement with wounded warriors at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC), Fort Sam Houston, TX, Mike, and others identified a need for expanded quality of life and comfort facilities for the patient population and their families. Huffman Developments enthusiastically aided by Mike and the efforts of MOPH Chapter 1836, generously initiated funds and services. Also, Mike, the Huffmans and others worked tirelessly to solicit the initial $4 million needed. Within 2 years, the government had donated land and ground was broken. Initially, the complex was known as the Returning Heroes Home, located on the BAMC medical campus. As contributions continued to pour in, many of the original group of volunteers formed a Board of Directors and 501(c)(3) organization for the development and expansion of the Returning Heroes Home. Mike continued to serve as an original Board Member until his passing. The complex was later entirely donated to the Department of Defense and renamed the Warrior and Family Support Center. The Warrior and Family Support Center and the MOPH Memorial are but 2 examples of Mike's care, compassion, and dedication to service to his country and his fellow military service members. COL(Retired) Mike Lester leaves behind his wife, LTC(R) Virginia Lester; son, LTC Sean Lester; Daughter In Law, Julianna Lester; son, CPT Brian Boyle; Daughter In Law, Aubrey Kissling-Boyle and two grandchildren, Erin (19) & Christopher (14). In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the Returning Heroes Home Support Fund at https://wfsupportfund.org or Guide Dogs of Texas at http://guidedogsoftexas.org. Your thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated. The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 4, 2018 at Porter Loring Mortuary North. SERVICE THURSDAY, APRIL 5, 2018 9:00 A.M. PORTER LORING NORTH CHAPEL Interment, with Full Military Honors, will follow in Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery.