Lester Proctor

Funeral service for Lester Newton Proctor, 78, Eudora will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, October 20, 2009, at Warren-McElwain Mortuary.  Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.  He died Friday, October 16, 2009, at his home.

He was born August 29, 1931, in Hiawatha, KS the son of Lester D. and Hazel (Hudson) Proctor.

Mr. Proctor graduated from University High School in Lawrence.  He worked part-time through school at the Lawrence Commonwealth Theatres. He was a motion picture projectionist and worked as an assistant theater manager for several years before joining the Air Force in 1952.  He attended basic training at Parks Air Force Base, Hayworth, CA.  Mr. Proctor went to Aircraft and Engine School at Shepard Air Force base Wichita Falls, TX.  Later he was assigned to the Strategic Air Command Base at Omaha, NE as an engine mechanic in the periodic maintenance squadron.  He was honorably discharged from the Air Force August 26, 1956, with the rank of staff sergeant. 

When he returned to Lawrence after being discharged he worked for his father-in-law Harry O. Westergreen with his company “Westergren Plumbing and Electric Company, as a apprentice electrician for several years.  He later worked for the Kansas Public Services Company as a journeyman electrician.

In 1964 he started his own business d/b/a Les Proctor Electric and operated this business until his retirement in 2006.  He served on the city of Lawrence electrical board for several years. 

In his years after returning from the Air Force he was active in several civic organizations.  He was active in the Dorsey-Liberty Post #14, American Legion and the Jaycee organization where he felt the best project he worked on was the Achievement Place for boys that he helped get started. 

He lived in Lawrence until moving to a home in rural Eudora in 1971.

He married Dorothy Louise Westergren on February 25, 1951, at the First Baptist Church, Lawrence, KS.  She preceded him in death on September 6, 2007.

Survivors include two sons, Gregory L., Tonganoxie, KS, and Harry A., Aurora, CO; a brother, Robert, Lawrence; two sisters, Carol Guy and Darlene Bright both of Lawrence; eight grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.  He is also survived by a parrot.  He was preceded in death by two sons, Gary Lester on June 22, 1952, and Mike R. on March 31, 2005, and brother Richard on June 2008, and his cat, Trouble, of twenty-two years.

The family will greet friends from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, October 19, at the mortuary.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to Douglas County VNA, Rehabilitation and Hospice Care and sent in care of the mortuary.

Online condolences may be sent to warrenmcelwain.com; Subject:  Proctor.