Lester M. Atkinson

Lester M. Atkinson
October 26, 1929 - September 20, 2012
Conway
Lester M. Atkinson, affectionately known as "Bud" and "Papa," lived a life which made a positive impact on the world. His strong work ethic, engineering skills, pragmatism and love for his family were gifts that he used well throughout his long life. Born during the depression in Brittons Neck, S.C. on the farm of his parents, Forest G. Atkinson, Sr. and Carrie Richardson Atkinson, he was raised with his four brothers, Forest G. Atkinson, Jr., (deceased), Marion Atkinson, Bennie Atkinson, and Wendell Atkinson (deceased). He learned to work hard and handle all of his responsibilities well. After graduating as valedictorian of his high school class, he attended Wofford College and the University of South Carolina, obtaining a degree in engineering. Through friends and relatives, he met his wife of 69 years, Sevelda Hucks Atkinson, and married her in 1953, after serving in the Navy Seabees in Greenland. He worked as an aircraft engineer throughout his 30 year career, primarily at Lockheed in Marietta, Ga., where he lived for 40 years. He worked on the design of the Matador Missile at the Glenn L. Martin Co in Baltimore, Md., on the L-1011 aircraft in San Diego, Ca, and on the C-130 and the wings of the C- 5A aircraft in London, England and Marietta, Ga. Though the NTSB, he traveled to airplane crash sites around the world investigating evidence on the ground and the black box to determine causation. He did his best to instill his values and share his talents with his family, including his two children, Steven L. Atkinson and Terri Atkinson Candler, his son-in-law, Clark E. Candler, and his three grandchildren, Clark E. Candler, II, Laura Scott Candler and Blake Atkinson Candler. Gardening, woodworking, home design, fishing, and travel were his lifetime pleasures, along with watching old westerns and attending his grandchildren's activities. His extended illness restricted his ability to enjoy many of his favorite activities for several years, yet his smile remained along with his inquisitiveness, sense of humor, and dignity. He is survived by his immediate family, along with dozens of in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins in his extended family. He walked an honorable path we would do well to follow.
Funeral Services will be held 2pm Sunday, September 23, 2012 at Watson Funeral Services Chapel with Rev. Robin King and Rev. Lynn Peters officiating.
Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.
Entombment will follow at Hillcrest Mausoleum.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to be made to the Jamestown Baptist Church in Conway, S.C.
Please sign a guestbook at watsonfuneralservices.com.
Watson Funeral Services and Crematory, 2300 Hwy 378, Conway, SC is serving the family.