ELDRIDGE WHATLEY "BUD" LESTER

Eldridge Whatley Lester, known to those who knew him and loved him as 'Bud', passed in Georgetown, Texas on September 10, 2026.

Bud was born in LaGrange, Georgia on April 9, 1942 to Claude & Rebekah (Whatley) Lester. He was the oldest of three children, his younger sister, is Sandra and his younger brother, Michael. Bud moved many times as a child due to his father's employment in the textile industry. He graduated from LaGrange High School in 1960 and LaGrange College in 1963.

Bud earned his Master's degree in Organic Chemistry, in 1965 from the University of Florida, a Master's in Business from Western New England Springfield, MA, in 1968 and a PhD in vocational technical education from North Texas University in 1976, which landed him his favorite nickname, "Dr. Bud." From 1971-76, Dr. Bud enjoyed being an Instructor and Chairman of the Mid-Management Department at Tyler Junior College.

While a working at Monsanto Chemical Co, in Springfield, MA, Bud met the love of his life at a summer Ski Club meeting. He married Justine Leslie Kelly, who, upon marrying Bud on February 17, 1968 would come to be known as 'Kelly Lester'.

Bud and Kelly had many adventures, including studying in Florida, owning a gas station in the Pocono Mountains, and moving to Texas to become cattle ranchers. Bud and Kelly imported the first Marchigiana bull from Italy through Canada to the US, and began breeding and raising some of the first Marchigiana cattle in the US, heading up the American International Marchigiana Society.

Bud's three children, EW, Jeffrey and Wendi were one of his greatest joys. He was infinitely proud that they all attended college and raised families. Bud and Kelly moved to Jacksonville, Texas in the late 70's. During his tenure in Jacksonville, Bud managed a plastics injection molding company and later he and Kelly designed, manufactured and distributed 'Nite Owl Spotlights' worldwide. When the microcomputer business began booming, Bud sharpened his programming skills, and later worked in multiple jobs in the computer and telecommunications industry which took the family to the Dallas area.

In his retirement, Bud began volunteering at Rocky Mountain National Park. He donated over 12,000 hours of his time in designing data bases that could be used by the park for employee / volunteer time tracking and wilderness camping reservations. He and Kelly have considered Estes Park to be a summer home since 2006 and have many dear friends there.

Bud also enjoyed writing, from short stories to fiction to health and nutrition. He enjoyed many years of playing golf with friends at Berry Creek Country Club and Estes Park courses. When his grandchildren came along, he and Kelly enjoyed taking them on trips, attending their sporting events, and teaching them to play golf.

Bud was preceded in death by his father, Claude Eldridge Lester, mother, Lucy Rebekah Whatley Lester, step-mom, Elah Mae (Griffin) Lester, and brother, Michael Bruce Lester. Left to cherish his memory are: His wife Justine 'Kelly' Lester, sister: Sandra Singleton-Turner, children: EW Newlin, Jeffrey Lester (wife Amber), Wendi Lester Efflandt (husband Scott) and his grandchildren, Jude, Olivia (husband Aaron), Jack, Aidan, and Mason.

The family expresses sincere gratitude to Tranquility Hospice and Georgetown Living Center who provided excellent and loving care to Bud during his last months.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, October 10th at 2pm at Ramsely Funeral Home, 5600 Williams Dr, Georgetown, TX 78633 and will be live streamed. Further details will be provided when plans are finalized.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Bud's memory to Rocky Mountain Conservancy (rmconservancy.org) or ForJust1.org, or your favorite charity.