Lester James Howard

On Friday, July 7, 2023, Lester James Howard died at his home in Olympia, Washington. Lester was born March 26, 1942, in Merrill, Wisconsin. He was predeceased by his parents, Wilbur and Florence Howard, brothers Glenn Howard and Terald Howard, as well as nephews Jeffrey Howard and David Howard.

Lester attended Merrill High School where he met his future wife, Darlene Livermore. He obtained a degree in chemistry from the University of Wisconsin in Madison and a master's degree in information management from University of Alaska in Anchorage. Lester was also a veteran of the United States Navy, stationed in Great Lakes, Michigan. Lester spent many years living in Alaska working for the Alaska State Department of Labor, enjoying his early retirement years in Juneau.

Lester enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time at his cabin on Admiralty Island, which he traveled to often by boat. Lester was a skilled wood-turner and created beautiful native wood pieces through his business, Hopper Limited Studios, in Juneau.

Most recently, Lester resided in Olympia, Washington, where he received excellent care and support from Krista Koval of Eldercare Counseling and Guidance Services and Carla Lavisores of Lavie Adult Family Home. Lester is survived by his former wife Darlene Livermore of Salem, OR, and by nieces and nephews Steven Howard of Los Alamos, NM, Timothy Howard of Coldwater, MI, Julie McFarlin of Broken Arrow, OK, Lisa Howard Phillips of Las Cruces, NM, William Howard of Vandalia, MI and Daniel Howard of Boulder, CO.