KANSAS, Okla. — In Conway’s windswept plains, where the cowboys roam, lived a man whose spirit carved tales in stone. Donald Joe Lester
was born on April 3, 1950, in Conway, Ark., to parents William and Hilda Lester. He had two siblings: brother, Charlie Lester (JoAnn), and sister, Gayle Lester Harrison (Jerry Wayne), of Conway, Ark. A cowboy whose heart beat strong and true, for the family he loved, under skies of blue. Joe married the love of his life, Katherine Annette Lester, on December 12, 1993. Together, their blended family consisted of son, Bud Lester, and wife, Jennifer, of Conway, Ark., daughter, Kyichia Baird, and husband, Justin, of Kansas, Okla., son, Jered Laughlin and wife Michelle of Gravette, Ark.; grandkids, Abigail Bonds (Lawson), Mallory Jennen (David), Harrison Lester (Sara), Zachari Beals, Katelynn Beals, Conner Beals, Zoey Dawson, Austin Laughlin, Jace Laughlin, Lincoln Laughlin, Trayton Gilchrist, and Devon Gilchrist. Joe, they called him, a jack of all trades, in every venture, his mark he made. Joe served in the United States National Guard from 1969-1975, where he worked as a tank mechanic, and ultimately transitioned to a culinary role. From tank technician to cook with flair, his journey took him everywhere. In Kansas’ fields, he rode with pride, amongst the cattle, side by side. Carpenter by trade, but cowboy at heart, with leather and saddle, he’d craft his art. After his time in the military, Joe spent time living in Canada, working as a hunting guide. Next, he moved to Kansas to work in the feed yards and perfect the art of cowboying. He would ultimately settle with his family in Arkansas, where he went to barber school, began developing his leather craft, and supported his family as a builder. He was also a member of Green Grove Masonic Lodge.
A troubadour with strings of gold, in bluegrass melodies, his stories told. Joe was a selftaught guitar player and was the lead singer for a Bluegrass band, “The Professors.” This group spent a summer playing daily at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Mo. As the years went on, he could regularly be found putting his tools down in the saddle shop and picking up his guitar. With his hat in his hand, and a twinkle in his eye, he’d share tales of Jesus, who reigns up on high. Joe loved Jesus and was always quick to share his faith with the folks crossing his path. It would be his most sincere desire for all of his friends to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. For in loving his children, his friends, and his Lord, he rode on through life, with a heart richly stored.
In every endeavor, his passion shone bright, a cowboy’s legacy, woven tight. A celebration of Joe’s life will be held at LifePoint Fellowship Church in Kansas, Okla., on Saturday, March 23, at 2 p.m.