Ronald Wiley Lester

LESTER, Ronald Wiley, 81, of N. Chesterfield, Va., has departed from this world, despite his seeming invincibility, so he can prepare corny jokes for us in the next realm (and probably eat all the cherry pie before we get there). Ron was born in September 1940 in Haleyville, Alabama to the late Acquin Oneida "Tub" Nixon Lester and David "Hoke" Lester. Part of Haleyville is in the Free State of Winston County, making Ron, secretly, a very cosmopolitan guy since birth. Tub gave birth to 13 pound (!) Ron at home, and passed out after calling the doctor. Hoke got home, thought Tub had died in childbirth and subsequently fainted. So by the time the doctor got there for the house call, he had to care for two passed out first-time parents, and a giant brand new baby. Ron's always been larger than life. Ron was the oldest of Hoke and Tub's three boys. Hoke passed when Ron was 9, so Tub worked three jobs trying to take care of the three boys by herself. As the most ornery and stubborn of the three sons, Ron was preceded in death by his younger brothers, the tenderhearted James "Jim" Lester and the quiet-but-humorous David Hoke Lester Jr. Ron was named Miami Edison Senior High School's "Best All Around" athlete in 1959 and was named to the school's athletic Hall of Fame. He was also very proud that he held the school pole vault record (for Swedish steel pole) at a height of 12 feet and 6 inches. He surprised himself most of all by actually earning his high school diploma and graduating. Ron warmed Tub's exhausted heart by winning a football scholarship to attend Florida State University that same year. Academia didn't agree with Ron at first, so he joined the Navy in the early 1960's and served for five years. He completed Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUDS) training in 1963, graduating 3rd out of "Class 29." Ron was a 2nd Class Petty Officer as an Interior Communication Electrician. He was very proud of holding the Class 29 record for the obstacle course. Now that Ron is gone, some of his teammates might want to contest that record! Ron returned to academia after serving, earning an Associates of Science in Physical Education from Miami Dade Junior College, so that Florida State University would take him back. Ron graduated from FSU with his bachelors of science in Physical Education in the late 1960s. Ron began his career as a public school PE teacher and met the love of his life when he was 29 years old. Ron and Barbara Lee met as coworkers at Briarwood Swim and Racquet Club (now ACAC), through their beloved mentor, Dr. Norris Eastman. Ron tried to make an impression on Barb with a lot of bluster, and her first words to him were "you don't scare me." Ron also coached many junior high and high school teams to great success. As Midlothian High School's head junior varsity football coach, they had four consecutive undefeated seasons. As Midlothian High School's pole vault coach, he had five vaulters at one time who could all clear 13 feet. One of Ron's vaulters, Tim Johnson, claimed the State AAA Indoor Pole Vault championship. Ron was honored to have been appointed as Midlothian High School's Athletic Director and Meadowbrook High School's Activities Director at various points. In another "secretly cosmopolitan" move, Ron earned his Masters of Science in Physical Education from VCU in 1982. He wouldn't want anyone to know that he was actually well-educated. He was very proud of completing the Richmond Marathon at age 44. Ron will be fondly remembered in laughter for his year-round short shorts, his constant canine companions, and his annual family Christmas letters TYPED IN ALL CAPS. Ron was recently honored with a commemorative plaque at Robious Middle School, with accompanying newspaper articles and a billboard. Ron's family is so grateful he got to enjoy these honors on this side of life. The various forms of recognition were organized by Ron's oldest son, Gene and some of Ron's other former athletes. This was very meaningful to Ron, pride in his student athletes just beamed from his smile when he saw all these gifts. Ron is survived by his loving and infinitely patient wife, Barbara Lester, M.D.; his two sons, Gene Bayer and Ronald Brock Lester (Tiffany Beaver Lester), all of Richmond, Va.; and his daughter, Holly Brooke Lester of Indianapolis, Ind. Ron was devoted to his sisters-in-law and various nieces and nephews. Ron also relished his role as Grandpa to Kort Katz, Michael Ilk, Alexander and Acquin Lester. A Celebration of Life will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, July 16, 2022 at Bon Air UMC, 1645 Buford Rd. Shorts are acceptable attire. Flowers are welcomed, any other type of memorial donations can be directed to the UDT/SEAL Team Association scholarship fund, the UDT SEAL Museum, VCU education scholarships, the Richmond Animal League and Joy House RVA.