Donald Pierre Lester

NEW IBERIA – A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted for Mr. Donald Pierre Lester, age 82, at 10:00 am Monday, August 28, 2017 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church with Fr. Charles Langlois officiating. Interment will follow at Springville Cemetery in Coushatta, LA at 3:30 pm.

Visitation will be held from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Sunday with a Rosary at 7:00 pm. The funeral home will reopen at 8:00 am on Monday until service time.

A native and resident of New Iberia, Mr. Lester passed away at 12:57 am on Friday August 25, 2017 at his residence.

He was a 1953 graduate of Gretna High where he was a quarterback of the football team and lettered in basketball, baseball, and track. After graduation, he enrolled in Louisiana State University where he studied mechanical engineering and was a member of the LSU Pershing Rifles. He was fortunate enough to live in the dormitories of Tiger Stadium during his entire tenure at LSU and was an avid LSU football fan.

After graduating from LSU, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army. He trained at Ft. Benning, GA, and served at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. He then went to Korea before being assigned as ROTC instructor at LSU. It was there that he met his future bride, Norma, who was teaching in Baton Rouge. He served in Vietnam twice and was also assigned at Ft. Lee, VA and Ft. Belvoir, VA. Following the second Vietnam tour, he completed his military service in the US Army Reserves. His last assignment was as Commandant of the Army Reserve Unit in Lafayette. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Don studied architecture at the University of Southwestern Louisiana, now UL Lafayette, and worked as an architect for over 30 years. In addition to founding Designs Plus, he worked in Facility Planning for the State of Louisiana in Baton Rouge.

He was a devoted member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church where he served for many years as President of the Parish Council, a Eucharistic Minister, and a Funeral Acolyte. He also belonged to the Knights of Columbus.

Don loved painting, playing chess, and cooking. He was a several time winner in the Daily Iberian cook-off for his delicious recipes.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Norma Strother Lester of New Iberia; daughter, Dr. Laurin Lester Council, and her husband Dr. Matthew Council of St. Louis, Missouri; five grandchildren: Claire Council, Sophie Council, Jack Council, Kate Council and Ellie Council; one sister, Lillian Lester Smith, and husband Joe Sanders Smith of Lafayette and one brother, Abby Allen Lester of Lafayette. He also leaves behind special relatives Todd and Angela LeMaire.

He was preceded in death by his only son, David Patterson Lester, and his parents, Ray Allen and Lillian Arsene Hitter Lester.

Pallbearers will be Abby Allen Lester, Dr. Matthew Council, Steven Williams, Todd LeMaire, Lewis Brown, Joe Taylor, and Brian Smith. Joe Sanders Smith will serve as an honorary pallbearer.

The family wishes to thank Drs. Adrian Shifren and Robert Lewis for their compassionate care.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 108 East St. Peter Street, New Iberia, LA 70560 and/or Adrian Shifren, MD, Pulmonary Fibrosis Research, Division of Pulmonology, Washington University Office of Medical Alumni and Development, Campus Box 1247, Attn: Erica Lebo, 7425 Forsyth Blvd., Ste. 2100, St. Louis, MO 63105. Contributions may be made payable to St. Peter’s, Washington University, or the charity of your choice.

To view on-line obituary and sign the guest register, please visit www.evangelinefuneralhome.com.

Evangeline Funeral Homes, Inc. of New Iberia is in charge of arrangements.