George Thrower Lester

George T. Lester passed away peacefully at home on September 8, 2025, from complications related to Alzheimer’s Disease. 

Born in Tampa, Florida in 1938, George was a high functioning autistic who graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1960. After his military service, George went on to pilot international routes for Pan American and United Airlines for several decades, focusing on the Pacific Rim. In addition to flying, he loved to surf and hike, which led him to explore six continents. He also played 5 instruments, and marched with his high school’s band in the 1954 Rose Bowl parade. In 1970, he learned to program in Fortran/Cobol; then began his own computer business. After retiring from the airlines, George taught school in Port Aransas, and published his autobiography. George truly grabbed life by the horns, and rode it for all it was worth. 

He will be missed, and is survived by his wife, Yvonne, his brother Len, his 3 daughters, Julie, Linda and Celine, and his 5 grandsons, Aaron, Thomas, Matthew, Yossi and Elliot. 

He will be buried with military funeral honors at Barancas National Cemetery in Florida.