Lester E. Gann

Lester E. Gann ("Pops"), born on December 16, 1943, passed away on December 9, 2025, at the age of 81. A resident of Knoxville, Tennessee, and member of Grace Baptist Church, Lester was known for his adventurous spirit, generous nature, hard-working ethos, and wise counsel.

From an early age, Lester demonstrated his industrious nature by picking fruit across the eastern United States and working alongside his brothers in their brick masonry business. He was entrepreneurial and a hard worker from the start.

In 1965, Lester was drafted into the United States Army, serving his country in Vietnam from 1966 to 1967. Upon his discharge, he returned to Knoxville and embarked on a career as a draftsman for Knoxville Iron. His career continued with several other Knoxville businesses before he founded his own company, Industrial Fabrication & Repair. Lester led the company for 35 years and remained as a consultant for an additional 10 years until his retirement.

Lester is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Glenda Gann; sons, Greg Gann and Wes Gann (Mandi); grandkids, Austin Gann (Tabitha), Daniel Gann, and Linnie Gann; and great-grandkids, Gracelyn Gann, Presley Gann, and Oakleigh Gann.

In his personal time, Lester enjoyed shooting sporting clays, hunting, farming, and fishing. There wasn't anything he could not accomplish, leaving a lasting legacy for his family and friends.

The family will receive friends on Friday, December 12, 2025, from 1:00 to 2:00 PM at Berry Highland Memorial, 5315 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. A service will follow at 2:00 PM officiated by Dr. Frank Catanzaro. The family will reconvene in Berry Highland Memorial Cemetery at 3:00 PM for a graveside service with Military Honors.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Lester's name to St. Jude Children's Research hospital at www.stjude.org