Gerald Lewis Lester, age 79 of Crossville, passed away on March 24, 2024. He was born October 18, 1944, in Port Angeles, Washington, the son of James and Wilma DeBoard Lester.

He was a United States Marine veteran having served during Vietnam and retiring with the rank of Sergeant Major. Sergeant Major Lester deployed on two combat tours in Vietnam and was awarded a Purple Heart along with other awards for his undaunted courage and selfless sacrifice. His first priority was and has always been his Marines, he was a true example of Semper Fidelis.

He spent most of his life in California where he worked as a Sky Marshal and then in the private sector while in the reserves he worked for Varian Associates and Spectra Physics. Throughout his career in the Marines and throughout his life, he was always referred to as the poster soldier for the Marine Corps.

He is survived by his spouse: Jack Martin of Crossville; brother: James Lester (Ellen) of Boise, Idaho; sisters: Linda Calver (Ray) and Diane Swisher, all of Skagway, Alaska; special niece: Mary Lea Lester, her husband William Wrynn and their son James Gerald Wrynn of South Hamilton, MA.; and many other nieces and nephews that he cared greatly for.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings: Thomas Lester, Sheri Smith, William Lester, and John Lester.

In accordance with Gerald’s wishes, he will be interred in Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington.  There will be a cemetery service that will be scheduled for late summer 2025.

Visiting hours to honor Jerry will be Thursday, April 18, 2024, from 2 until 4 p.m. at Hood Funeral Home in Crossville, Tennessee.

The family has respectfully asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5025, 32 VFW Loop, Crossville, TN, 38555.