Lester Beesley

Lester Eugene Beesley passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 19, 2016, at the Bay Breeze Health &Rehabilitation Center near his home in Nokomis, FL. Born in 1925 to Joseph Lester and Alta Mae on their rural farm in Alert Indiana, outside of Columbus IN.
Known as “Buzz” in his college days at DePauw University in Greencastle, IN where he graduated with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree. He was a member of the Delta Chi fraternity where he sang in their renowned quartet that resembled the legendary Four Freshmen whom they knew very well. He was also the number one pitcher on the Varsity baseball team where he was drafted by the Boston Braves. Buzz took a leave of absence during his years at DePauw to serve his country where he joined the U.S. Navy and was named to the top of his class as a Range Finder. With this prestigious accomplishment, instead of joining his team at sea he was reluctantly stationed in Ft Lauderdale as a teacher of this innate skill. Tragically, three days later this ship was attacked and sunk, leaving behind no survivors.
After college, “Les” worked 30-plus years as a group insurance manager with Equitable Life and raised his family in Fayetteville from 1965-1980.
Les was active in his community serving as a member of the Village Board, and was elected Trustee of Fayetteville. In addition to his village board duties, he supported the fire department, volunteered in his children’s sporting activities and served as a senior warden at Trinity Episcopal Church.
After retirement he and Nancy moved to Sarasota, FL, and later Nokomis, FL, where he was a proficient golfer and member of the USGA plus a member of All Angels by the Sea in Sarasota where he served as senior warden and later at St Mark’s Episcopal in Venice is a lay reader.
Worth mentioning was his 50 years supporting the American Legion and various sponsorships including the USO, AHA, Red Cross and Shriner’s Club.
Les in a line was giving, had an outgoing personality, thoroughly enjoyed people and as his mother once said “he never met a stranger.”
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Nancy Lu Gatling of Nokomis, FL, sons Joseph Lester and wife Kirsten of Greenville, SC, the late John Bard and wife Terri of Indianapolis, IN, Lance Gatling and wife Gaylynn of San Diego, CA, plus grandchildren, Devon Ricker, Robert Lester, Natalie Louise, Luke Gatling and Indy Jo.
Memorial service: 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 29, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 508 Riviera St., Venice, FL. with a reception to follow at the Mission Valley Country Club in Nokomis FL where they have been members for 20-plus years.
His final resting place will be at Bear Creek Cemetery in Columbus Indiana. In lieu of fiowers the family has requested that any donations be made to either St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Venice FL or Tidewell Hospice in Sarasota, FL where Nancy still volunteers her time.
Please go to tidewell.org for more information.