Charles Thomas Lester's Obituary
Lester, Charles T. (Tom)Tom went to be with the Lord on October 6, 2018 at the age of 85. Born to Jim and Belva (Britton) Lester, on June 7, 1933, Tom graduated from Broken Arrow High School in 1951. He attended Oklahoma A & M for one year, prior to being inducted in the Army and spending 16 months in Korea during the war. He earned a BA degree at Northeastern State College (NSU), married the love of his life, Ruth Robertson in 1957, then attended TU Law School. He was convinced by Deputy Police Chief Riggs to join the Tulsa Police Department (TPD) the same day he started Law School and found he loved law enforcement and worked traffic, patrol, vice and homicide, retiring as a Lt. 22 years later as the TPD Liaison to the Police Commissioner. He also formed and commanded the first Special Operations Team (SWAT) for TPD. His awards and honors included TPD Commendation Medal and Chief’s Medal. His next career combined Director of both the Tulsa City/County Emergency Management and Tulsa Auxiliary Police with over 150 officers for 18 years and was named Oklahoma Emergency Manager of the year twice. He chaired the multi discipline Hazardous Material Committee for 7 years and organized the Tulsa Area Local Emergency Planning Committee, composed of all public and private organizations involved with hazardous chemicals. He received numerous other awards to include nomination by the Tulsa Fire department as “Citizen of the Year”. Additionally, he assisted in developing the Criminal Justice Program at NSU and taught part-time. After retirement, into his 80’s, he volunteered as an investigator for “cold case homicides” for the Tulsa Sheriff’s Office and TPD. He enjoyed family along with fishing, golfing, farming and ranching. At the time of his death, he was a partner with several brothers in ranching. He was a member of Memorial Drive UMC for over 50 years and enjoyed his membership in the Fraternal Order of Police, Sheriff and Police Officers Association, Tulsa County Reserve Deputy, Kiwanis Club and Friendly Eight Square Dancing Club. Tom is survived by his daughter Stephanie (Tom) Payton of Houston/Tulsa, who gave 24/7 care during his declining health, five brothers, Pat Lester, M.D. (Patti) and Mike Lester (Pat) of Broken Arrow, Lt. Col. Bill Lester (Ret. USAF) (Patty) of OKC, Sheriff Joe Lester (Ret.) (Jeanne) of Cleveland County and Jeff Lester, M.D. (Marilyn) of Elk City; granddaughter Sarah (Tim) Kirby, grandson Matthew Lester of Mounds and great-granddaughter Reagan of Edmond. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife of 59 years, Ruth, infant son James, son Stephen Lester, M.D., daughter-in-law Dana and granddaughters Laura and Christina and brother Jim. Tom was most proud of his two children, Stephen and Stephanie, and the joy they brought into his life. He credited Ruth for how well they turned out and for taking care of them during his hectic and demanding career. Visitation Floral Haven Funeral Home, Broken Arrow, 6-8 PM on Wednesday October 10th. Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, October 11, at 10:30 a.m., at Memorial Drive Methodist Church 7903 E. 15th Street.
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