Mr. Lester Harper

Age 100, passed away peacefully on Tuesday September 13, 2016 in Dallas, Texas at Grace Presbyterian Village. Lester was born on April 6, 1916 in Peshtigo, Wisconsin to the parentage of Benjamin Harper and Ida (Wilke) Harper. He completed and graduated high school and learned to fly planes and obtained his pilot license. Later Lester became a flight instructor and later enlisted in United States Air Corp and Air Force on September 17, 1942. He was a ranking officer (Major) and veteran of World War II that was stationed in Central Burma in China Jorhat, India. Lester was the first Hump Pilot that flew a B24 over the Himalayans Mountains without radar with just his map and eyesight. Lester received numerous of distinguish decorations and citations: he received the Presidential Citation Pin, two (2) medals from the Chinese dignitaries for his outstanding service during WW II flying supplies into China before the Burma Road was cut. Lester was the recipient of the WW II Victory Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation, and the DFC Air Medal with 1 OLC. After returning from China, he became a flight training officer in the US Air Force, instructing and training other cadets to fly in combat missions. Lester married the love of his life, Donna Belle and to this union one daughter Rhydonia was born. After being honorably discharged from the military on December 7, 1946, Lester pursued his passion for flying, and became a commercial airline pilot for Faucet Airlines and later Frontier Airlines. Lester was an active member in several organizations including the ALPA (Air Line Pilot Association International) and the Hump Pilots Association. After his retirement in 1976 with more than 32,000 hours of flying time, he loved being with his family –most especially his three grandsons. Lester’s hobbies were growing tomatoes, reading and being with his dog, Pebbles. Lester was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 63 years, Donna Belle Harper, both parents, Benjamin and Ida Harper, and several sister and brothers and other relatives. He leaves to cherish his memories and legacy: his loving daughter, Rhydonia Duggan and son-in-law Ed Duggan; (3) three grandsons: Douglas Pfeil, David (Laura) Pfeil, and Dwayne (Katherine) Pfeil; (4) four great grandchildren: Madelene Pfeil, Jacob Pfeil, Rhye Pfeil, and Kobb Pfeil; and other relatives and friends that will greatly missed Lester.