JEFFREY CHARLES LESTER

Jeffrey Charles Lester was born in Evergreen Park, Illinois on October 9, 1954. He passed away at his home in Clovis, California on Sunday, December 18, 2011, at the age of 57. Jeff attended Gibson Elementary School, Tenaya Junior High School, Bullard High School and California State Universiey, Fresno graduating with a degree in Agricultural Science. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Fraternity. Upon graduation from CSUF in 1976, Jeff joined his father Don at Lester Distributing, a produce distribution company. Lester Distributing sold fresh tree fruit and table grapes around the world. Jeff also farmed grapes, plums and cherries. Jeff was an avid outdoorsman. He loved to snow ski, water ski, fish and hunt. Spending time on his boat at Shaver Lake with his family and friends was one of his favorite things to do. Jeff was a person who seized life and lived each day to the fullest. His commanding presence and sense of humor made Jeff a person who was hard to forget. He could fix anything from a leaky faucet to a tractor and everything in between. One of his often repeated quotes was, "If you're going to do it, do it right". He valued the many friendships that were made throughout his life: from high school, college, and his thirty years in the produce industry as well as his many fishing and hunting buddies. If Jeff was your friend, he would give you the shirt off his back but might charge you interest. Jeff was a loving son, brother, husband and father. He and his wife Liz created an amazing family. Their four children were the light of his life. Jeff is preceded in death by his father, Donald C. Lester; and his sister, Darcie Lester. He is survived by Elizabeth Lester, his loving wife of thirty years; son, Jeffrey Charles Lester II; daughters, Jessica Lester, Natalie Lester and Amanda Lester; mother, Bonna Lester; brother, Kevin Lester MD and his wife Linda; sister, Donna Raven and her husband Ted; aunt, Shirley Soule; and twelve nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service will be held at New Harvest Church, 698 N. Minnewawa Avenue in Clovis on Tuesday, December 27, 2011, at 11:30 a.m. A Celebration of his Life will be held following memorial services at the Veterans Memorial Building, 808 4th Street in Clovis from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Remembrances may be made to California Water Fowl Association, 740 W. Alluvial Avenue, Suite 102, Fresno, Ca. 93711l; Childrens Hospital of Central California, 9300 Valley Children's Place, Madera, Ca. 93636; or donor's favorite charity.