Graham Glenn

Lester

Graham Glenn Lester was born August 24, 1931 to the late Daniel George Lester and Myrtle (Hammet) Lester.  Graham departed this life on July 8, 2026 at the age of 94 years, 10 months, and 8 days. Graham is 5th generation of the Lester family from Lesterville.

Graham had 7 siblings that all preceded him in death: Lymon (Sonny) Lester, Isabelle Ness, Donna Daher, Ruby Millington, Jim Lester, Carter Lester, and Norma Purcell. Graham was also preceded in death by his wife Violet (Crocker) Lester, and his only son, David Alan Lester.

Graham grew up in Lesterville and attended Lesterville School until the family moved to St. Louis, Missouri for work. He loved to tell the story of when he was first enrolled in the St. Louis school they put him in a grade behind where he was at Lesterville. The city school principal assumed a country boy from a country school would be lacking in education and wouldn't be able to keep up. Graham said he excelled in class so much that the teacher and principal decided to put him up in the grade where he was supposed to be.

A part of the Silent Generation, In the year 1952, Graham enlisted in the United States Army. After two years enlisted he was honorably discharged and he proposed to and married Violet (Crocker) Lester. They lived and worked in St. Louis for many years before returning to their hometown to raise their three children. They were married for 68 years until Violet passed away in 2024.

Graham was a proud union worker with the operating engineers local 513. The construction trade took him to many different states all over the country. It did not matter where he worked, Graham loved the town of Lesterville more than any place he had ever visited. This is including Alaska where he worked construction on the oil pipeline for approximately three years. He was convinced that the fishing, hunting, and living on the Black River was like living in paradise.

Above all else, Graham enjoyed his kids, his home, all of his family members and too many friends to count. He was always willing to help a neighbor or a stranger if the need arose. He enjoyed riding the back roads drinking a beer and telling stories with everyone that ever got in the truck with him. Graham's favorite thing to do was hanging out at the mud slew hole where several of his memorable birthday parties were held. He loved listening to the St Louis Cardinals baseball team on the radio sitting in his rocking chair on his carport. Even though he had a heat stroke doing so one time. He also liked to reminisce about the days living in St. Louis and going to Sportsman's Park to watch the Cardinals from the bleachers.

Graham will be greatly missed by his daughters Cindy Denbow (Jim), and Paula AuBuchon (Mike). Four granddaughters Tiffany Huggins, Martinique Francis, Courtney Becker (Nick), and Alicia AuBuchon. One grandson Abe AuBuchon (Jami). Great grandsons Grant Chitwood (Jessica), Kobe Edwards, Max AuBuchon, Henry AuBuchon, Louis AuBuchon and Jean AuBuchon. Great granddaughters Olivia Brockes, Abi Edwards, Adelaide AuBuchon, Eva AuBuchon, Violet AuBuchon, Helen AuBuchon, and Bernadette AuBuchon. Three great, great granddaughters Marlee Mae McKinley, Paislee Kay Chitwood, and Auree Glen Chitwood. Special nephews Mark Lester (Joanne), Johnnie Lester (Anesha), Richie Davis (Emily), and special niece Linda (Lester) Conklin (Chip) as well as several other nieces and nephews.

Visitation: Monday, July 13, 2026, 3:30-6:30 PM at McSpadden Funeral Home, Lesterville, Missouri

Funeral to follow at 6:30 PM

Minister: Pastor Mike Harrison

Arrangements by McSpadden Funeral Home, Lesterville, Missouri