July 22, 2021

Donald Alan Lester, 88, of Kennett Square, died in his sleep on Saturday, July 10, at his home.

He was the husband of Elizabeth “Betty Ann” (Gilbert) Lester, with whom he shared 64 years of marriage.

Born in Chester, he was the son of the late Herbert Clifford Lester and Elizabeth Reamy Lester.

Don served our country in the Navy during the Korean War serving on the USS Bushnell and the USS Picuda submarine. He received a National Defense Service Ribbon, a Navy Occupation Service Medal, and a Good Conduct Medal for his service.

He was the owner of Lester Water Inc, a water purification company, which was started in 1951 by his father. He retired in 1994 when David McKeon, his son-in-law, took over the business.  Don was a longtime Rotarian. He joined the Concordville Rotary Club in 1969. When he and his family moved to Kennett Square in 1977, he joined the Rotary Club of Kennett Square. He was named Kennett Square Rotarian of the Year in 2003. He was an active member, serving as president two times (once in each club), as well as participating on many committees and service projects. He was also a member of the Unionville Presbyterian Church, where he loved singing in the choir.

Don was an avid antique car collector, having owned many during his life, including a Pierce-Arrow and a Rolls Royce. He enjoyed model trains and had an extensive collection at his home where he would create elaborate outdoor displays. He was also an enthusiastic fisherman, traveling to Canada and many other places with fellow Rotarians. In his younger days, he loved skiing with his family and his good friend, Stan Saft. He and Betty Ann loved ballroom dancing and traveling together. For a number of years, but especially during COVID, Don enjoyed playing the computer game Civilization with his brother Cliff, trying to conquer the world together.

He will be remembered for his dedication to service in our local community, his ability to remember and tell the many stories of his life, and to hum everywhere he went.

In addition to his wife Betty Ann, Don is survived by two daughters, Patricia McKeon and her husband David of New London, and Marianne Kennedy and her husband Michael of Oxford; one son, Wayne Lester of Kennett Square; four grandchildren, Erin Dougherty and her husband Steven, Ryan McKeon and his wife Stephanie, Connor Kennedy, and Nicholas Thompson; two great-grandchildren, Lilian Dougherty, and Wade McKeon; as well as his brother, H. Clifford Lester and his wife Jean, of San Marino, Calif.  He was predeceased by a son, Donald Gilbert Lester in 1977 and his brother, John Lester in 1940.

You are invited to visit with Donald’s family and friends from noon to 1 p.m. on Friday, July 23, at the Unionville Presbyterian Church, 815 Wollaston Rd. Kennett Square, PA 19348. His memorial service will follow.

Please click the link to join the live streaming of Don’s Celebration of Life:   https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81165631274?pwd=TEJCZjJyQkZmRTF5T0JaRjVMVEcyQT09    Passcode: 186318

The interment will take place at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the Rotary Club of Kennett Square, PO Box 291, Kennett Square, PA 19348, or the Unionville Presbyterian Church, 812 Wollaston Rd. Kennett Square, PA 19348.

Arrangements are by Matthew J. Grieco of Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. (1-800-FUNERAL).  Condolences may be made at www.griecofunerals.com