Lester Bourgeois

Lester Oliver Burgess-Bourgeois, 94, of Caldwell, Texas, passed into his Heavenly home surrounded by his loving family on December 12, 2018. Services are set for 2:00 p.m., Saturday, December 15, 2018 at Strickland Funeral Home in Caldwell. Interment will follow at Masonic Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 12:30 p.m., Saturday before the service.

Lester was born at home in Houston, Texas on January 16, 1924. He spent much of his younger days working as a bicycle delivery courier for Western Union in Downtown Houston.

Lester enlisted in the United States Army in 1942, during World War II attached to the 701st Military Police Battalion. As a policeman, he was assigned to escorting various items of interest during the war. He was a trained sharpshooter specialist and later an instructor of new recruits. He was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Service Medal, and Meritorious Service Unit Insignia. After the war, Lester became a boxer with the Army Boxing Exhibition Team in numerous events. He honorably served till 1945; discharging as a Private First Class.

After meeting at a Food and Meat Market in Dallas, Texas, on Lovers Lane, Lester and his wife, Lois Bourgeois, knew it was love at first sight. Since that day, the two were inseparable, marrying on April 4, 1952. A love story that inspired many, Lester and Lois celebrated their 65th anniversary in 2017, days before Lois preceded him in death. Not a day went by that he did not miss his “little darling”.

Residing in many cities throughout Texas, they settled in League City for over 30 years, before relocating to Caldwell, Texas thirteen years ago to enjoy the small-town life.

While raising four children, Lester, known to many as “Smiley”, worked as an Auto Body Technician for 30+ years before retiring. Lester enjoyed wood-working, painting, working on cars and above all spending time with his loving wife, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.

Faith and love were the foundation of their beautiful marriage that was instrumental in raising their four children and instilling Christian values in generations to come. Lester, lovingly known as "PawPaw" by his grandchildren was a true inspiration and will always be remembered as the strongest man ever known, with a smile that would brighten your day, and a heart of gold that will forever be cherished.

Lester was preceded in death by his parents Nickless and Pearl Bourgeois, his loving wife Lois Bourgeois, his son Lester Oliver Burgess Jr., his daughter Carolyn Prescot, his brother Johnny Woods Jr., and sisters Gladys Aydelott, Barbara Hammond, and Mary Sanders.

He is survived by his daughters Jean Barrett and husband Guy of Bryan, Texas, Rhonda Andricks and husband Mark of Caldwell, Texas and by his sister Sandy Brim and husband Jim, of New Waverly, Texas. He is also survived by 18 grandchildren, 48 great grandchildren, and 32 great-great grandchildren.

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