Lt. Colonel Lester Gale Brady, 87 (U.S. Army Chaplain Ret. ), passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Tuesday, July 10, 2018.
Lester is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Mildred Cox Brady; four children: Tim Brady of Elgin, SC, Anne Blake of Camden, SC, Donna Kneller and husband Gary of Atlanta, GA. , and Mark Brady and Leslie of Lakeland, FL; four grandchildren: Leslie Campbell and Jonathan of Columbia, SC, Ryan Oliveria and wife Victoria of San Francisco, CA, Nicholas Blake and wife Meredith of Camden, SC, and Grayson Blake of Charlotte, NC; two brothers: Worth Brady and wife Claudette of Asheboro, NC, Lavan Brady and wife Linda of Seagrove, NC. Lester was predeceased by his father Walter Brady and mother Mae Kiser Brady; siblings Baby Ray, Mack Brady, Garland Brady, Ella Fagg, Lucilla Chilton, Mada Garner, and Sue Greene.
He was born on March 18, 1931 and raised near Bennett, NC. He grew up on a farm and came from humble beginnings. Lester graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Elon University and with a Master of Divinity degree from The Divinity School of Duke University.
He received an additional Masters degree in Counseling from Long Island University. Lester was drafted into the U.S. Army in January, 1953 and served 18 months in the Korean War. He enrolled into the U.S. Army Chaplain School and was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army Chaplains Service, where he served for 20 years.
His service included assignments in Vietnam during the Vietnam War, Germany, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, New York and a second tour in Korea. Lester was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was absolutely devoted to his wife, Mildred.
He was a man of faith and his presence will continue to be felt through everyone he touched. He enjoyed many activities including flying his Cessna airplane, working out, gardening, bird watching, following the Atlanta Braves, building and working on computers and taking care of his beach house in North Myrtle Beach, SC. While in the U.S. Army, Lester was awarded the National Defense Service Medal (one Oak Leaf Cluster), United Nations Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation (two Oak Leaf Clusters), Vietnam Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Stars, and Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry.
A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 21, 2018 at Pleasant Grove Christian Church, 5946 Pleasant Grove Church Road, Bennett, NC 27208. Officiating, Rev. Don Edwards.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Lung Association. Condolences may be made online at www. loflinfuneralservice.com.
Arrangements by Loflin Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Ramseur.
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