John R. Lester

John Rowland Lester was born on March 4, 1929 to Maude F. and Tom M. Lester Sr. with older brother, Tom M. Lester Jr. (deceased). Johnny grew up in the Heights of Houston and attended Jefferson Davis High School. Upon graduation, he was accepted into Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas on a track scholarship. As an active member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, he went on to earn his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from SMU.

After graduating from college, Johnny enlisted in the U.S. Army where he proudly served his country and quickly rose to the rank of First Lieutenant. Upon completion of his military service, Johnny returned to Houston and began a career in finance and real estate. Along the way he met his first wife, Jean Harris (deceased), who gave him two children John and Ann. With a gift for real estate, Johnny soon became one of the top home builders in Houston, Texas with additional projects in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Miami, Florida.

Johnny was known for his “zest for life” and loved entertaining and being around people. He especially loved hosting parties for his friends and family in his beautiful Memorial home, that he designed and built on Shartle Circle.

In 2004, Johnny met and fell in love with Billie Pucciarello, who he married and spent the next sixteen years ripping up the dance floor and enjoying life. Johnny was most well-known for the many interesting ways he expressed himself. Some of the most memorable included “May I tell you a story…”, ”Always forward and never back”, “Keep smiling”, “Everday’s like Christmas” and “Lache Pas La Patate” (Cajun for ‘Hang in there and don’t drop the potatoes!’).

John Rowland Lester is survived by his loving wife, Billie Lester; daughter and son, Ann Lester Walker and John Harris Lester, along with their spouses, Steve Walker and Jan Lester and grandchildren: Stacy Jackson and her husband Ryan Jackson, Sam Walker, David Lester, Michael Lester and great grandson Aiden Jackson. Billie’s children, Toni Pucciarello, David and Angela Turek, Mike and Aurora Pucciarello and Darrell Pucciarello. Grandchildren, Julianna, Lorenzo and Francesca Bruno; Eva and Kit Delgado; Hayden and Jackson Turek; Anthony, Gavin, Christian and Jon Michael Pucciarello and great grandchildren, Elianna and Nadia Delgado.