Lester R. Davis

Lester R. Davis, 89, of Topeka, passed away Wednesday, December 17, 2008, at Pioneer Ridge in Lawrence, KS. He was born November 13, 1919, in Moran, KS, the son of Edwin T. and Dora Anderson Davis. He graduated from Iola High School in 1937. Lester was a Army veteran of WWII, serving in the Pacific Theater where he achieved the rank of First Lt. After returning from the service, he was employed as a sportswriter for the Independence Reporter. He covered minor league baseball plus junior college and high school sports. He entered the insurance business in 1953, eventually moving to Topeka in 1956. He worked for many years in various capacities for Security Benefit Life where he earned the designation of Chartered Life Underwriters (CLU). Lester was a member of the Topeka Association of Life Underwriters, West Side Christian Church where he was active in the West Side Men's Bible Study, the West Side Rotary Club and the V.F.W. Lester married Vera Marie Reinfeld on November 16, 1941, in Iola. He was preceded in death by his wife on May 15, 2006, and a son, James B. Davis on February 14, 1995. Mr. Davis is survived by one son, Robert E. "Bob" and wife, Linda Davis of Lawrence; two grandsons, Steven M. Davis of Springdale, AR and Paul J. Davis of Rochester, NY, and one sister, Elizabeth Stephens of Denver, CO. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 27, 2008 at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel where the family will receive friends one hour prior to service time. Burial will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery. Mr. Davis will lie in state after Noon Friday, December 26, 2008 at Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel. The casket will remain closed. Memorial contributions may be given to the Parkinson Foundation Of The Heartland, 5200 Fox Chase Drive, Lawrence, KS 66049 or the Coaches vs. Cancer, 1315 S.W. Arrowhead Rd., Topeka, KS 66604. To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.PenwellGabel.com.