Burton Arnold Lesh, 87, of Columbus, Georgia passed away December 7th 2021. Burton was born in East Orange, New Jersey on 22 August 1934 to Newton D. Lesh and Dorothy C. Ryan. He graduated Valedictorian from Chaminade High School in Dayton, Ohio and attended The University of Notre Dame where he graduated in 1957 with a degree in Political Sciences. He received a Regular Army commission into the Infantry Corps. His life was changed when he was paired (by height) on a blind date with Ann Marie Milnamow whom he married 12 April 1958.
Burt served more than 21 years in the Army on active duty and retired at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. His last assignment was at the Infantry School on Ft. Benning, Georgia. He graduated in Class 6 of Airborne School in January 1958 and Class 7 of Ranger School in April 1958. He served two tours overseas during the Vietnam War from 1966-67 and 1970 -71. He completed a Masters Degree in Political Science from the University of Delaware in 1966. He is the recipient of two Bronze Stars, two Meritorious Service Medals, and The Air Medal.
He was a Soldier’s leader, he innately understood and appreciated his men and his leadership and empathy ensured mission success. He was an ardent patriot and instilled this love of country in his children. His eldest son John served in the Army Infantry Corps for 3 years. His son Donald served in the Navy and retired after 23 years as a Commander. His daughter Melinda is a Colonel in the Army Medical Specialist Corps where she has completed active service and is currently in the Army Reserve.
Upon military retirement Burt pursued a 25-year second career as a financial advisor, district manager and registered principle. His life’s calling was being a father and later a grandfather (and expecting great-grandfather). He was ever present at the events for 5 children and 14 grandchildren. He coached, mentored, and was the biggest cheerleader during scouting, soccer, swim, wrestling, baseball, dance, theater, skateboarding and running events.
He was President of Reese Road Elementary School PTA, President of the Columbus Chapter of Service to Mankind (SERTOMA), and President of Columbus Aquatic Club. Burt loved to sail his Sunfish, walk with Ann, read books and pursue all avenues of learning. Later in life he enjoyed a love of Pilates and the ladies at the Quest Pilates Studio that took the greatest care of him.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years and love of his life, Ann Marie Lesh; five children, John Newton(wife Tammy and children Andrew and Katelyn), Donald Burton (wife Morna and children Isabel, Abigail Wagar (husband Kaleb) and Ryan), Melinda Lesh Wellborn (husband Robert and children Tawsha Lannom (husband Brian), Joshua, Kirsten Wellborn-Perez (husband Ricardo), and Matthew)
Michael Burton, (daughter Lelia Marie), and Mark Burton (wife Maria and children Lucas, Samuel, Beau, and Zoe); his brother Newton D. Lesh (Port Huememe, CA) and his four children.
We will celebrate Burt at a funeral mass at St Anne Catholic Church, Columbus, Georgia 13 December 2021 at 10:00 A.M. and interment at Fort Mitchell National Cemetery, Alabama at 12:30 P.M. EST.
