Les Jr. the first of five children, was born July 23, 1946 to Lester Wayne Champion, Sr. and Marion Virginia Benskin Champion in Houston, TX.
Les Jr’s early years were spent in Cottage Grove. With working parents, he spent a lot of time with his grandparents, William and Nellie Champion. Mentored by his dad, grandfather, and four uncles, he developed his love for sports, the outdoors, playing the guitar and singing country music.
Les Jr. graduated from Sam Houston High School in 1964. He was offered a basketball scholarship at Houston Baptist University, which he never fulfilled. Instead, Les Jr. joined the US Navy. He had a passion for science and medicine and planned to pursue medicine later in life, and decided to go to Corpsman School.
Les Jr. served two tours in Vietnam from 1966-1968. His first tour of duty was setting up Base medical supplies and not in a combat zone. On the second tour, he was a Scout on a Reconnaissance Team. He was wounded on January 30, 1968 during TET Offensive in Khe Sahn and awarded two Purple Heart medals.
After his military service, in 1969, Les Jr. married Patty McAnally, and attended the University of St. Thomas, graduating in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology. He worked for Doctors Hospital in Conroe as Director of Purchasing for 24 years, before retiring.
Les Jr. had a heart of gold and nothing was more important to him than family. His personal struggles were always secondary to loving and caring for others. He had an amazing memory, often reminiscing about details of life events back to his childhood. Les Jr. lived a full life, overcoming obstacles and physical limitations, and living each day with optimism and purpose.
Les Jr. is preceded in death by his parents, Lester Wayne Champion, Sr. and Marion Virginia Benskin Champion; his brother, Allan Lawrence Champion; and his sister, Janis Elaine Champion Swinney.
Les Jr is survived by his loving wife of fifty years, Patty; their two sons, John Champion and wife, Carrie; David Champion and wife, April; brother Steve Champion and sister Lee Ann Ryan; five grandchildren: Sean, Haeden, Jakub, Hanna and Nate; niece Shelley Furrh, husband Jeff and daughter Leyla; nephew Steve Champion, Jr., wife Stephanie and sons Kayden and Karson. Other nieces and nephews include Allan Champion, Amanda Sharp, Amber Schaefer and Samantha Ryan, along with a host of other cousins and dear friends.
Due to the Corona Virus restrictions, funeral services at American Heritage Funeral Home and graveside services at Houston National Cemetery will be private for immediate family only.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Cancer Society.
Friends and Family can pay their respects by viewing the Facebook livestream on Friday, May 15, 2020 and any date thereafter at https://www.facebook.com/AmericanHeritageFuneral/videos/539687293360880/?vh=e&d=n
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