Died at his home in Hollister surrounded by his family. Lester is survived by his loving wife of 22 years Jacqueline,siblings Agatha Helmuth of Temecula,and Lloyd and Richard Houle of Minnesota; his children John (Olena), Mary Davis (Daniel), Richard (Stephanie), Jeanette Thatcher (Michael), Michael (Cheri), Phillip, Mark (Jody), step-children Patti and Michael Cooley, 18 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.
Born in Forest Lake, MN. to the late John J. and Lydia (Bernier)Houle,Lester served as a Marine Corps pilot from July 1942 to Dec 1945 primarily based on Bougianville in the South Pacific with MAG 25. After the war he moved to California where he met and married(1948)Jeanette McCarthy of Redwood City, who predeceased him in 1981. He owned and operated Houle Tile Inc. until he retired in 2000.
Lester enjoyed flying his Bonanza with friends in the World Beechcraft Society, golfing, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 7th, 2011, between 5:00 and 7:00 P.M. at Black Cooper Sander Funeral Home, 7th and Monterey Streets in Hollister. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Simon’s Church in Los Altos, August 8th, 2011, at 11:00 A.M. Burial to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Los Altos with military rites performed by The United States Marine Corps.
Condolences: www.blackcoopersander.com