Charles Aaron Lester

Charles Aaron Lester passed away on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at his home, with his family by his side, at the age of 103. He was born on May 29, 1922, to Nancy Cooper Lester and Charles Howard Lester in their home in Loranger, Louisiana.

Aaron is survived by his daughter, Brenda Louise Lester; his son, Charles Elwood Lester (Shelley); 11 grandchildren, James Travis Kight (Heather), Charles Lester Kight (Amy), Daryl Keith Kight (Angela), Julian Wayde Kight, David Allen Ivy (Dawn), Dillard Aaron Carnegie (Rebeka), Clarence Dale Carnegie, Jonathon Esco Carnegie (Laney), Mark Ivy, Elizabeth Faye Ivy and Erinne Elizabeth Lester (Sean); numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; his sister, Rebecca Annette Anthony (J.D.); and numerous nieces and nephews.

Aaron was preceded in death by his parents, Nancy Cooper Lester and Charles Howard Lester; his wife Myrtle Beasley Lester; his daughter, Elizabeth Anne Kight Ivy; his brother, Joseph Leroy Lester and Howard Leon Lester; and his sister, Doris Louise Strickland.

After graduating from high school in Loranger in 1939, Aaron joined the Civilian Conservation Corps serving in California and Louisiana. Once he left the CCCs, he returned to Loranger and ran a dairy for the Cook family earning $21.00 a month as well as room and board. After seeing a Coast Guard recruiter's card at the Loranger Post Office, he traveled to Shreveport, Louisiana and joined the Coast Guard in June 1941. During World War II, Aaron spent 3.5 years transferred to the Navy ship USS Alhena and served running landing boats in the South Pacific. Aaron ended his Coast Guard career in 1968. The following Monday he began working for a towing company, Dixie Carriers, Inc. and stayed with them until he retired in 1985. Aaron then returned to his home in Loranger where he raised beef cattle, had a huge garden, and raised beautiful gladiolas. He was very active in the Loranger Methodist Church (Loranger Legacy Church) and the Loranger American Legion. He was a Mason for 75 years.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend visitation at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home, in Hammond, Louisiana, on Saturday, December 27, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. with the funeral service starting at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow in Joiner Cemetery, Highway 40, Loranger, Louisiana. Afterwards, a meal will be provided by the Loranger Legacy Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Loranger Legacy Building Fund.

The family would like to express heartfelt gratitude to Interim Healthcare Hospice for their loving support and guidance in caring for Aaron in his final days.