Harry E. Lester

Harry Lester was called to his eternal home to be with his beloved wife Mary the evening of Friday, April 18th, 2015. Harry was born in 1929 and raised in Bud, West Virginia. He moved his family to Michigan in 1952. In addition to being a loving family man, Harry impacted the lives of thousands of families across America through his work with the United Steelworkers. Harry rose through the ranks of the Steelworkers to the position of District Director where he led the fight all the way to Washington, DC to save McLouth Steel. He devoted his life to workers' rights and social justice and was honored with awards from many civic and labor organizations. But his proudest acknowledgement was being recognized with an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities from Michigan State University in 2005. Harry was an active member of the Downriver community and was involved in a number of religious and social organizations including the First Baptist Church of Gibraltar, Huron Clinton Metropark Authority, Flat Rock Masonic Lodge, the National Kidney Foundation and the Downriver Community Prayer Breakfast. His wife Mary E. Lester in (1932-2013) and sons Harry Eugene Lester (1954-1956) and James Michael Lester (1957-2011) went before him to heaven. Harry is survived by his children, Mary Ellen Sype (Edward), Theresa Diane Cowell (Charles), William Terry Lester and Julia Kay Fuller, 13 Grandchildren and 8 Great-Grandchildren, his sister Ellen Jack Lusk(Paul) and brother William Lester (Betty), nieces and nephews and dear friends. It is impossible to condense the life and success of Harry E. Lester into such a short space. His legacy lives on through his family who loves him dearly and will miss him very much. "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28