Lester Lee Brown II, 65, passed on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2010, in Spirit lake.

Lester was born in Springfield, Ore., on Nov. 9, 1944, and started his life Eugene, Ore. Then moved to Sandstone, Minn., at the age of 8 with his family. He attended school in Sandstone and in his senior year enlisted in the Navy where he served his country for 21 years and three months, with broken service, retiring as a BT1/E6.

During his Naval career he served on numerous ships and shore duty stations. He left the service after 15 years of duty and went to work for the Naval Sub Base in Bremerton, Wash., for two years. He met Judy Ann Thibodeau and dated for 2 1/2 years before they got married on Jan. 31, 1981, in Rutledge, Minn. He then reenlisted in the Navy after serving in the Naval Reserves and served another six years to retirement on March 31, 1986, in Long Beach, Calif., off the USS Peleliu LHA5.

After retirement they moved to Kent, Wash., and settled down. Then an illness in the family in Minnesota called him home to be with his mother until she passed. A final move to Spirit Lake to raise his family his wife, two daughters and a son. They have resided in Spirit Lake for more than 14 years.

One of his last jobs was with Kootenai Medical Center in CDA before he fully retired to enjoy his life being with family and friends. He loved hunting, fishing, camping and barbecuing. He loved attending gun shows, car shows, trading stories with friends, reloading and teaching his children gun and outdoors safety. He was also a member of the VFW in Coeur d'Alene.

Lester was preceded in death by his parents, Lester Lee Brown I of Hominy, Okla., and Thelma Marie Holter Brown of Farmington, Minn.; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Joseph O'Neil Thibodeau of Windsor, Conn., and Blanche Angela LaJoie Thibodeau of Windsor, Conn.; his brother, Edward Dee Brown of Farmington.; his sister, Dorothy Marie Brown Eckerly of Hastings, Minn.; his brothers-in-law, Wayne Clarence Hecht of Apple Valley, Minn., and Joseph Ivan Couturier of Spokane, Wash., and his grandson, David James Waddel of Rathdrum and other family members and friends.

Lester is survived by his loving wife, Judy Ann Thibodeau Brown of Spirit Lake; his daughter and her fiancé, Kelly Rae Brown and Richard James Waddel of Athol; his daughter and son-in-law, Megan Lee Brown Magden and SrA Raymond Joe Magden of Bellevue, Neb.; his son, Morgan O'Neil Brown of Spirit Lake; his granddaughter and grandson, Anastacia Rose Marie Waddel and Christopher David Waddel of Athol; his sister, Mary Margret Brown Hecht of Apple Valley and numerous nephews, nieces, family, extended family and friends.

Cancer may have taken Lester away from us in little over a year, but it has not taken away our memories of a proud family man or a brave serviceman. He is now with our Lord and his family and will stand guard over his earthly family left behind. He will be dearly missed, but not forgotten.

Visitation for Lester will be held from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2010, and funeral service with military honors will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 7, 2010, all at Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d'Alene Chapel.

Please visit Lester's memorial and sign his online guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.