Bert Alan Less

1957 - 2025

Bert Alan Less was born in Memphis, Tennessee on April 27th, 1957 to Leon and Dorothy Less. He passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by his family, on Sunday, May 11th, 2025 after a long and brave fight against cancer.

Born and raised in Memphis, Bert was the youngest of five brothers, all of whom he stayed close with until his final days. He grew up in a household of love and rabble, so much rabble at times his mother famously got his birthday wrong for the first 16 years of his life. Only when he went to get his driver's license did he find out that his birthday was in fact not on April 25th. He was a dedicated son and a devoted brother whose favorite activity was going on real estate routes in the afternoon and calling all of his favorite people to check in. He attended White Station High School and was a proud Spartan for his entire life.

On May 18th, 1986, Bert married the first love of his life, Debra "Debbie" Goodspeed Less. They spent 19 wonderful years by each other's side and had two children together: a daughter, Baylee, and a son, Josh. Their home on River Birch was known for poolside parties, loud music, and more love than the family knew what to do with.

Following Debbie's untimely passing in 2005, Bert pieced together his broken heart and put his children's needs before anything else. He learned to cook, drove them to school, attended parent meetings, and supported their grief all while quietly managing his own. Luckily, another person found him soon after and helped him rebuild his life.

Bert married Monica Less on 7/7/07 in an intimate ceremony in the backyard of their home. Bert and Monica shared 18 years in love, laughter, and partnership, never wavering in their devotion to one another. He was a true romantic whose heart was so full and life was so joyful from simply getting to love his "Storm." Bert gained two additional sons through their marriage, Parker Woods and Hudson Sanderson, and the six family members learned quickly what it meant to be a family. Their home became the gathering place for friends, from Tiger watch parties to New Year's Eve celebrations, from casual dinners to rambunctious sleepovers. There was nowhere better to be than at LeFleur.

His family was his life, but his work brought him a second family. Bert founded Leco Realty in 1988, and most people have never seen a man so happy to go to work. He took great pride in the company that he built, that he employed the same people for over 30 years, and that his tiresome hardwork created success that sustained a beautiful life for his family.

Bert will be remembered for his love of reading and music, of Memphis Tiger basketball and foosball. He loved reading on the porch with a fire crackling, one dog in his lap and the other in the chair beside him. He loved listening to records for hours on end and telling you stories about where he bought which album and the next. He loved his Leco girls and Little Feat. He loved date nights with his Storm, car rides with his dogs, Louis and George, and family dinner around the kitchen table doing "highs and lows." He loved walks on the beach in the early morning just before the sun crested along the shoreline. He loved museums and art, but you would also catch him posing like every statue in the building before he walked out. He loved celebrating Shabbat with his family and taking trips around the world with his wife. He loved April Fool's Day and the New York Yankees, writing poetry and grilling out. He loved laughing and making others laugh, and smiling - God did he love to smile! Bert loved fiercely and devotedly his whole life, and he loved his family to the very, very end. Nothing brought him more joy than being a father and grandfather.

While Bert never wanted to be labelled by his disease, the family would be remiss to not mention and thank the kind and caring medical teams that worked tirelessly to heal him. We are forever grateful to the doctors and nurses at West Cancer Center, Sarah Cannon, and Accent Care. The family is sincerely grateful to Dr. Jim Andrews and Dr. Brad Somer for their guidance and support during this journey and in Bert's final days.

Bert is predeceased by his parents, Leon and Dorothy Less, by his first wife, Debbie Less, and by his nephew, Peyton Less. He leaves his wife, Monica Less, and four children, Baylee Less (Monte Eiseman), Josh Less (Leah Baer), Parker (Emma) Woods, and Hudson Sanderson. He leaves three grandchildren, Loften and Archie Woods and Dahlia Eiseman. He leaves his brothers, Mike (Michele), Stanley (Vicki), David (Angela), and Barry (Pam) Less.

As Monica and Bert said to each other daily, one lifetime with you will never be enough.

Funeral Service will be at 11:00 AM, Tuesday May 13, at Temple Israel, 1376 East Massey Rd.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Bert's memory to Memphis Jewish Home & Rehab, Temple Israel, West Cancer Center, or the charity of your choice.