Thon "Tony" Lester

As part of the baby boomer generation, Tony was born in 1945 in Fort Worth, Texas towards the conclusion of World War II. He enlisted in the military after high school and worked as a translator for the United States Army in Europe, working with the English, Spanish, and German languages. After leaving the Army, Tony farmed with his brother Pat, and went to school to get his teacher's certification. After graduating from the University of Corpus Christi in 1972, he taught for many years, providing a positive influence in the lives of countless children across multiple generations, often teaching the children of a previous student. After retirement, his life really began to take off, allowing him to travel at will. He got his Captains License, and even wore his Captain's hat to indicate his licensed status when on the water in his boat.

Tony grew up in Port Lavaca, spending his childhood and most of his adult life living by the waters of Chocolate Bay. This location provided many opportunities to pursue his hobbies, which included arrowhead hunting, fishing, and floundering, all of which were just an excuse to go boating. Starting from the time he was ten years old, he spent countless hours on the waters of Chocolate Bay gaining a familiarity with the local waters that few others possess. Last year, in 2011, his arrowhead hunting yielded the find of a lifetime - a spearhead in pristine condition of significant size. He would say that someone left it on the ground for him to find it hundreds, if not thousands of years earlier.

He had an appreciation for good food and good company, and often talked about his friends at "the breakfast table" fondly. He enjoyed people in general, and always had a friendly word for visitors.

Having been so heavily involved in education, Tony recognized the importance of reading, and had a love for it and a great appreciation for a good story. His tastes included a variety of genres, among them history, adventure, science fiction, and historical fiction, notably the Patrick O'Brian novels about 19th century sailing in the British Navy.

Having an appreciation for nature, Tony would take family trips with his children to Colorado. These trips included hiking in the woods and panning for gold. His love of nature was not extended to the rain, which obliged him to mow the grass. He would say that when it rained, he could hear the grass grow. However, an early morning rainstorm presented him with the opportunity to wake his children and admonish them not to miss such good sleeping weather.

Tony had a strong sense of right and wrong, which he took care to pass on to his children.

The last years of Tony's life were exactly as he wanted them. He was able to spend his days in complete freedom, bustling with activity, doing as he pleased among the company of those he cared for, and who cared for him. He sometimes would begin his day watching the sunrise over the water while having a cup of coffee, fill it with friends and family, and end it with a documentary on the History channel before he fell asleep.

Tony was preceded in death by his father, Dr. S. W. Lester, and his mother, Isabel Lester. He is survived by his siblings, Pat Lester and Christina Lester Westfall, his children, Stanley Lester, Sarah Lester, and David Lester, and his grandchildren, Dean Lester and Drew Lester.

A time of visitation will be held from 4 to 6 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012 at the Richardson Colonial Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 10 am on Monday at the First United Methodist Church in Port Lavaca with the Rev. Mark Porterfield officiating. Burial with flag folding by the Calhoun County Honor Guard will follow at Greenlawn Gardens Cemetery.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.richardsoncolonial.com.