Lester Jesse Reed, 109 years and 4 months old, of Overland Park, KS, passed away January 27, 2019. Visitation will be on Monday, February 4 at 10:00 am at Wesley Chapel, Church of the Resurrection, 13720 Roe Ave., Leawood, KS 66224. The service will follow at 11 am. Burial will be at Prairie Home Cemetery, Diller, NE.
Mr. Reed was born September 10, 1909 in Havelock, Nebraska. Lester was a quiet, amiable, optimistic man always ready to tell a story about his life in Nebraska. His childhood centered around hard work but included shenanigans with neighboring children, including wrestling his friend who later became actor Robert Taylor. Lester and his mother entertained the family at home. His mother played the piano, French harp or guitar and Lester played the drums or the trombone. A Shetland pony named Teddy was his transportation to school and he often balked and tried to dump Lester off on the way to school. In school, Lester’s nickname was “Read-a-Book”. He graduated from the 9th grade. In his late teens, after working on his father’s farm, he purchased a 1925 Model T Ford for $175.
Lester enjoyed his career managing grain elevators throughout southeast and central Nebraska. Ironically, he retired at the age of 63 because of health problems, convinced he wouldn’t live much longer. After a quick recovery, he worked for a landscaping company and mowed lawns for friends and neighbors for many years.
Lester’s interests included family, work, and reading. He operated grain elevators in many small towns in central and southeast Nebraska. He was a member of the Masons and was recognized for his long membership by the Overland Park Masonic chapter.
He was always an active church member, a Methodist for most of his life and a member of the Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, KS. Lester was active in the ABC Sunday School class there and worked on church service projects in the area.
Lester was preceded in death by Vera Reed (88), his wife of 68 years; son Lester Lamar, sisters Irene (2), Myrle (99) and Doris (43); brothers Gerald Reed (94), Dale Reed (96). He is survived by daughter Ardith M. Warner of Overland Park, KS, and many nieces and nephews.
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