Dr. Herschel T. Lester, Jr., 81, passed away in Dallas, Texas on Friday, March 22, 2013. Herschel was born in Ennis, Texas on September 14, 1931 to Herschel T. and Deeter (Fenner) Lester, Sr. He grew up in Ennis and graduated from Ennis High School. He went on to attend Sam Houston State University where he received his Bachelor’s and his Master’s degrees in Education. He then attended the University of Missouri where he received his Doctorate in Education. In 1952 he married Gelene Sanders and she went with him as he continued his education and as he served his country in the National Guard. He worked at the University of Missouri as an Adjunct Professor; he served as a Professor for eight years with the University of Georgia. After a brief tenure at Ohio State University, he returned to Ennis, and worked for the Ennis Independent School District until he retired in 1986 as the Vocational Director. He was a past member of the Baptist church and was a member of the Masonic Lodge. He enjoyed working with computers. He is survived by his wife, Gelene Lester; son, Herschel Lester III and wife, Nancy; two daughters: Tina Denise Teza and husband, Richard Teza, Rachael Gene Fuqua and husband, Carlton Fuqua; five grandchildren; Austen, Christina, Emily Jonathan and Alicia and one great-grandchild, J.J. He is preceded in death by his parents, one daughter, Donna Lee Lester and one brother, Bob Lester. Visitation will be on Sunday, March 24, 2013 from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. in the J.E. Keever Mortuary of Ennis. A Celebration of his life will be held on Monday, March 25, 2013 at 10 a.m. in the J. E. Keever Chapel. Services are under the direction of J.E. Keever Mortuary, Inc. www.jekeevermortuary.com
