F. Raymond "Ray" Lester

F. Raymond "Ray" Lester 1920 - 2007 A Senior Member of the Santa Clara Valley's historic Lester farming family, Ray Lester, 87, peacefully passed away August 25, 2007 after a brief illness, with family by his side. The Lester's San Jose agricultural roots date back to 1883 when Ray's grandfather, Nathan Lester, purchased his first prune orchard at the corner of Lincoln and Curtner Avenues. Ray was born and raised in the midst of the Valley's "Fruit Boom" on the family's "Home Ranch" at Almaden Rd. and Koch Ln. He was a graduate of Los Gatos High School where he discovered a passion for competing in football, and earned the Boy Scouts' Eagle Scout Award. Continuing to support the family fruit business, Ray attended San Jose State College, studied business, and was a member of Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity. He played tackle on the SJS 1937-1939 conference winning football teams under coaching greats Dud DeGroot and Pop Warner himself. With the Great Depression taking a toll on agriculture, and war breaking out between England and Germany, Ray joined the Lockheed Aircraft Company in Burbank, CA where he held leadership positions overseeing the manufacturing of the B-17 Flying Fortress. It was at Lockheed where he met his future bride of 61 years, Grace McKinney of Oskaloosa, Iowa. In 1944, Ray opted to directly support the U.S. war effort and enlisted in the Navy where he was subsequently stationed throughout the Pacific Theater. Immediately upon returning from service in 1946 he married Grace, and rejoined the family's San Jose fruit growing business. In 1947, as a young entrepreneur, Ray ventured out with his brother, Lee, forming "Lester Brothers" who together, over the following decades, became one of the Valley's largest orchardist and fruit processors. Ray was also a leader amongst the California agricultural community and held director positions in the Sunsweet Growers Association; Sun/Diamond Growers Association; and California Prune Advisory Board. As the "Valley of Hearts Delight" transitioned into "Silicon Valley" so did Lester Brothers, orchards were redeveloped/exchanged into commercial properties. However, today, the brothers are one of the Valley's last orchard hold-outs with their ranch in San Jose's Coyote Valley. It is this one remaining ranch that gave Ray the greatest joy and pride by sustaining his active farming status through to his final days. Ray truly loved the community he lived and worked in. He was a charter member and past president of the Almaden Valley Rotary Club and served twice as District Governor Representative and Chairman of the District Conference. He was a 33rd degree Mason in the Masonic Lodge; was a member of the Santa Clara Valley Sheriff's Advisory Board, San Jose State Quarterback Club, San Jose Elk's Club; and past president of the Willow Glen High School Dad's Club. Ray will be fondly remembered and loved for his vivacious personality; ability to befriend all; "Service Above Self" as a Rotarian; intriguing story telling; and as mentor, life coach, and best friend to his children/grandchildren. Ray is survived by his loving wife Grace, brother Lee, daughter Jean Denning and husband Steve, son Fred Lester and wife Jill, and granddaughters Sarah McCaughey, Ashley and Courtney Lester. He was preceded by parents Fred and June Lester; sisters Marjory Wayland Behen and Edith Olmstead. Memorial Events will commence at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, September 22nd at the Oak Hill Funeral Home's Chapel of the Oaks located at 300 Curtner Ave., San Jose Ca. Please join us in a tribute to Ray!