James R. Lester

James Richard Lester, age 32, of Walnut Creek, California, formerly of Okemos, Michigan, passed away suddenly on Sunday, July 3, 2016. Beloved son of Richard and Judy Lester of Okemos, Michigan, Jim was born in Syracuse, New York, on July 20, 1983. He was a devoted son and brother.

Jim was a 2001 graduate of Okemos High School, and he attended Central Michigan University and Indiana University. Jim was employed as a software developer with Reynolds and Reynolds, Inc. of San Francisco, California. Earlier in his career he was employed as a computer game developer. He loved the outdoors, skiing and snowboarding, chess, playing his guitar, being with his friends, and spending time with his pets.

People who knew Jim considered him to be kind-hearted, generous, and full of life. He loved helping others and was active in volunteer groups in the San Francisco Bay Area. He especially enjoyed working with children. While in college, he worked as a Counselor, Riding Instructor, and Ranch Camp Director for Mystic Lake YMCA Camp, where he was affectionately known as “J J.” In high school, Jim was a volunteer Teen Zookeeper at Potter Park Zoo for three years, working alongside the zookeepers in caring for the animals.

Jim was predeceased by his grandparents, Jane and James Lester, Antoinette Hoak, and Donald Hoak. In addition to his parents, Jim is survived by his brother, Jason M. Lester, and Jason’s fiancée, Devina Sindhu, both of Eugene, Oregon, as well as several uncles, aunts, and cousins.

A funeral service will be held at 12:00 pm on Wednesday, July 13, 2016, at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home, 1730 E Grand River, East Lansing, MI. The family will receive friends from 10:30 am - 12:00 pm, immediately prior to the service. Private interment at East Lawn Memory Gardens, Okemos, MI.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made in Jim’s name to the Mystic Lake YMCA Camp, PO Box 100, Lake, MI 48632, to provide the camping experiences he loved so much for Lansing area youth.

The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, East Chapel. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.greastlansing.com.