Lester C. North

Lester was born on a dairy farm in Decatur, TX in 1934 to Thomas and Ruby North. He started school in Harrold, TX but later moved to Plainview, TX when his mother married L. Roy “Pop” Simpkins - an incredibly special man and father-for-life to Lester and his three sisters, Faye, Sally and Lola.

He graduated from Plainview High School in 1954, where he played football, basketball and ran track. He served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean war, and continued to play basketball during his time in the Corps. He later attended San Angelo Junior College on a basketball scholarship. There, he met and married Barbara Chesshir and had one son, Douglas Roy North. He later married Mary Rousser in 1960, and the couple had two daughters, Rosemary Denise North and Anna Lisa North.

Lester enjoyed a successful career in the insurance sales business, retiring from SIC/Western National Life Insurance Company after 28 years of service. He then pursued a second career in the “hobby” he already loved - construction.

In 1993, Lester married Margo Thrush Frisbie, a high school classmate he reconnected with after his divorce. She preceded him in death in 1995. He cherished his two bonus children from this union.

Lester was an enthusiastic bowler, a bridge player, a sponsor of various kids teams, a church member, community volunteer, and he continued to work tirelessly as a general contractor into his late 70s, always working, volunteering his talents, and ready to lend a hand to almost anyone - never knowing a stranger.

Lester was preceded in death by his parents, his three sisters, and his wife, Margo. Lester is survived by his children, Douglas North and wife Gina of Keller, TX; Rosemary Smith and husband Ed of Amarillo, TX; AnnaLisa Homan and husband Chris of Middletown, MD; his bonus children, Curt Frisbie, and wife Stacy of Longview, TX; Sydne Rainwater and husband Mark of Flower Mound, TX; eleven Grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life memorial service will be held on Monday July 15, 2019 at 10AM at Griggs Schooler Gordon Funeral Directors - (the funeral home that Lester constructed in 1985) 5400 Bell Street, Amarillo TX, 79109. He will be interred immediately afterwards at Llano Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Sunday the 14th from 4PM - 6PM at Griggs Schooler Gordon Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Amarillo Children’s Home, 3400 Bowie Street or Volleys for Veterans, Amarillo Area.