Terry Leon Lester

Terry Leon Lester, 71, died July 15, 2025 peacefully in his home at the Kansas Veterans Home in Winfield, KS. His journey ended after bravely facing the many challenges following his stroke in 2017. He was born January 12, 1954 in Ft. Ord, California to John Marion Lester and Mary Evalyn Hardy-Lundstrum.  He was an Army brat as a kid, living in multiple states and countries including Okinawa, Germany, California, Alaska, Texas, Kansas, Iowa, and Idaho.  He attended High School at Palacios High School in Palacios, TX and Salina South High School in Salina, KS.  He then joined the Army where he loved serving his country.  He held many degrees from many different universities including a Bachelors in Business at Fort Hays State University, and Masters Degree in Aviation Technology at Andrews University. He started flying crop duster planes at the age of 14 and later in life he became a private pilot, aeronautical engineer and an airplane mechanic.  He held licenses in single and twin engines, commercial, jet, helicopter, and was a certified flight instructor in everything as well. He held jobs in Wichita’s aviation industry at Boeing/Spirit, Hawker, Textron, Cessna, and Flight Safety.  He flew with and for many interesting people including Arnold Schwartzenegger, Chuck Liddell, Lorenzo Neal and Harrison Ford.  His stories were exaggerated and long, but definitely ones for the books.

He is preceded in death by his father, John Marion Lester; mother, Mary Evalyn Lester-Grayson; infant son, Jared Michael Lester; brother Wayne Lester; sisters Mary-Alice Eggemeyer and Shirli Jeanne Turner; and  nephew, Micheal JonDaniel Lester.

He is survived by his daughters, Amy (Clint) Panek and Kim (Matt) German; and son, Scott (Jessica) Lester.  Grandchildren: Kortni, Wade, and Rhett Panek; Natalie and Tyson German; and Scott Lester, Jr.  He is also survived by his brothers, Craig (Lisa) Lester and Mark (Anne) Lester; sister Dawn (Bill) Hackett; and brother-in-law Tom Turner.   He also leaves behind his uncle Tom Lundstrum, many friends (as he didn’t know a stranger), cousins, and many loving nieces and nephews.  He was always described as the ornery fun uncle, or FUNCLE. 

He always said “I’ll fly ‘til I die” and now is flying with the Angels.  Memorial Services will be held at Kansas Veterans Cemetery at 1208 N. College St., Winfield, KS, on August 29, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. A BBQ meal (and party, per Terry) is to follow at the Barns at Timber Creek Venue at 14704 91st Rd., Winfield, KS.

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