Richard G. McLester, 83, Mesa, AZ passed away on March 25th, 2013 at his home in Mesa, following a multi-year struggle with Myelodysplastic Syndrome complicated by Parkinson's disease. There will be a Vigil Service at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Saturday, July 6, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. in Cando, ND, followed by internment beside his parents at the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Cando. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service at the church. Military Honors will be provided by the Hal Parker Post #79 Cando American Legion and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team. Memorials are preferred to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St, Phoenix, AZ 85014-5656.

Richard was born on November 27th, 1929 in Cando, North Dakota. He was the second son of Richard Norton McLester and Clemence Paul McLester who both preceded him in death. Richard had one sibling, Malcolm J. McLester who also preceded him in death. Richard was a proud registered half-blood of the Turtle Mountain Band of the Chippewa, home reservation is based in Belcourt, North Dakota. He attended school in Cando, graduating in 1947. He enlisted in the U.S. Army reserve in December of 1946 and went on active duty following high school graduation. While on active duty at Camp Rucker he married Shirley Carlson of Devils Lake, North Dakota. Richard was released from active duty in 1952 following Korean War service. Richard was Communication Chief, HQ. Co. 2nd Bat. 164th Infantry, at the time of his discharge. Richard had three children of his first marriage who remain to mourn his passing: Richard Lynn McLester of Mesa, Arizona; Douglas Lee McLester (Carol) of Entiat, Washington; and Kellie Marie Andersen (Jack) of Enumclaw, Washington. Following military service, Richard worked for Central Telephone out of Devils Lake, North Dakota prior to going to work for The Boeing Airplane Company in Seattle, Washington in 1957. Over the thirty plus years he worked for Boeing, Richard went from the position of electrical installer on the B-52 bomber to Assistant Director of Manufacturing on the B-2 bomber program for the Boeing Military Airplane Company. Richard met and married Elanor Smith in 1964 and they moved to Leisure World, Arizona in 1995, following their retirements from The Boeing. Co.

Richard is also survived by his wife of 48 years and three step children: Linda Creamer (Jim) of Silver City, New Mexico; Jeffery Smith (Jil) of Morgan, Utah; and Jeanna Hofmiester (Craig) of Bayview, Idaho. In the weeks prior to his death Richard was surrounded by his wife, children, step children and grandchildren. With the help of Hospice of the Valley , Richard was able to achieve his last wish, to stay in his own home with his wife and the angels from Hospice caring for him to the end. Richard donated his body to medical research.


Condolences:

I am sorry to hear of Richard's passing away. I would have liked to confer with him about his heritage. If his Grand Father name was Alfred Paul and his Grandmas name Clemence Paul then I would be related to Richard. The Grand Parents were from ST. John, North Dakota. ANTHONY WILKIE