Obituary for Lester Andrew Potts, Jr.
Viewing will be from 4PM-8PM Sunday with family present at Vondel Smith Mortuary at South Lakes. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM, Monday, July 20, 2020 at Vondel Smith Mortuary at South Lakes with burial to follow at Resthaven Memory Gardens.
Lester Andrew Potts, Jr. went to be with his Heavenly Father on Thursday, July 16, 2020, at the age of
94. The son of June (Shrout) and Lester Andrew Potts, Sr., Les was born January 13, 1926, in Slick, Oklahoma.
Les was brought up in East Texas until at the age of 15 his family moved to California to help with the war effort. He joined the United States Navy at the age of 17. Les bravely fought for his country during World War II and was awarded 1 Bronze Star, 5 Silver Stars, 10 Blue Stars, 50 Green, 100 Red, Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal and Honor Roll Service Pin. During his service, he earned the rank of Chief Machinist Mate.
Just out of the Navy, he had a job delivering groceries to small towns where he met a girl, Wanda Avery, that caught his eye, stole his heart and he soon married on June 27, 1947; a marriage that lasted 70 years. Les and Wanda settled in Oklahoma City, where they made a loving home for their 3 children, Patsy, Janice and David.
Les, an extremely hard-worker and man of integrity, later established Potts Drywall Company, a successful business for more than 40 years and also built homes before he retired in 1990. He made many wonderful and lasting friendships throughout his life. He made a lasting impression on many
young men who would work for him during the summer months and enjoyed motorcycling, boating, and water skiing with him and his family on the weekends. He was a born leader, and a true Christian example of a servant’s heart showing dedication, perseverance, tenderheartedness, generosity and the value of hard work. He even provided his labor in the remodeling of three different churches that he
had attended.
After “retiring,” Les and Wanda moved to Lake Eufaula where he enjoyed 19 years of a less hectic schedule. Les was an active member of Lindsay Chapel Baptist Church where he went on mission trips, worked in VBS, and continued to drywall for his church and friends when the need arose. He was able to spend more time gardening and fishing with friends and grandchildren.
Les was very passionate about his faith, serving others, and his love for the Lord. His favorite book to read was the Bible and he often read a devotional book as well. Nothing was as important to Les as being with his family whom he loved with all of his heart. Les was a loving husband, devoted father, fun Papa, loyal friend and faithful servant who will be fondly remembered as the best man we've ever known. His smile, the twinkle in his eye, and his teasing will be greatly missed; however, his legacy will continue to live on in our hearts each day.
He was preceded in death by his:
Parents;
Wife, Wanda Potts; Granddaughter, Amy Miller;
Six Siblings: Mable Clark, Virginia LuWilda Flatt, Nadine Sikes, Mack Potts, Ruby Stolick, and Katherine
Clemmons.
Lester leaves behind his loving family:
Children: Patsy Miller, Janice Hinkle and husband, Doug, and David Potts and wife, Liz;
10 Grandchildren: Stephen Hinkle and wife, Liz; Jason Davis and wife, Amanda; Bryan Davis and wife, Amber; Justin Miller; Adam Miller and wife, Jackie; Jonathan Hinkle and wife, Lori; Joshua Hinkle and wife, Mandy; Josiah Michelle Hackney and husband, Daniel; Elizabeth Buerger and husband, Stephen; and Anna Hinkle;
Great Grandchildren: Titus, Elijah, Blaire, Brooke, Parker, Addison, Stella, Steven, Andrew, Wendy, Max,
Bo Riggs, Abby, Levi, Clare, Paul, Nevan, Max, Avila, Calan, Zoe, Evie and Samuel;
Several nieces, nephews and cousins;
Many other extended family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donation to be made to: The Wounded Warrior Project
You may visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org If you choose to donate by mail, please visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org and select "Donate by mail" to download the form to send with the donation.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Lester Andrew Potts, Jr., please visit our
Heartfelt Sympathies Store.
Lester Andrew Potts, Jr. went to be with his Heavenly Father on Thursday, July 16, 2020, at the age of
94. The son of June (Shrout) and Lester Andrew Potts, Sr., Les was born January 13, 1926, in Slick, Oklahoma.
Les was brought up in East Texas until at the age of 15 his family moved to California to help with the war effort. He joined the United States Navy at the age of 17. Les bravely fought for his country during World War II and was awarded 1 Bronze Star, 5 Silver Stars, 10 Blue Stars, 50 Green, 100 Red, Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal and Honor Roll Service Pin. During his service, he earned the rank of Chief Machinist Mate.
Just out of the Navy, he had a job delivering groceries to small towns where he met a girl, Wanda Avery, that caught his eye, stole his heart and he soon married on June 27, 1947; a marriage that lasted 70 years. Les and Wanda settled in Oklahoma City, where they made a loving home for their 3 children, Patsy, Janice and David.
Les, an extremely hard-worker and man of integrity, later established Potts Drywall Company, a successful business for more than 40 years and also built homes before he retired in 1990. He made many wonderful and lasting friendships throughout his life. He made a lasting impression on many
young men who would work for him during the summer months and enjoyed motorcycling, boating, and water skiing with him and his family on the weekends. He was a born leader, and a true Christian example of a servant’s heart showing dedication, perseverance, tenderheartedness, generosity and the value of hard work. He even provided his labor in the remodeling of three different churches that he
had attended.
After “retiring,” Les and Wanda moved to Lake Eufaula where he enjoyed 19 years of a less hectic schedule. Les was an active member of Lindsay Chapel Baptist Church where he went on mission trips, worked in VBS, and continued to drywall for his church and friends when the need arose. He was able to spend more time gardening and fishing with friends and grandchildren.
Les was very passionate about his faith, serving others, and his love for the Lord. His favorite book to read was the Bible and he often read a devotional book as well. Nothing was as important to Les as being with his family whom he loved with all of his heart. Les was a loving husband, devoted father, fun Papa, loyal friend and faithful servant who will be fondly remembered as the best man we've ever known. His smile, the twinkle in his eye, and his teasing will be greatly missed; however, his legacy will continue to live on in our hearts each day.
He was preceded in death by his:
Parents;
Wife, Wanda Potts; Granddaughter, Amy Miller;
Six Siblings: Mable Clark, Virginia LuWilda Flatt, Nadine Sikes, Mack Potts, Ruby Stolick, and Katherine
Clemmons.
Lester leaves behind his loving family:
Children: Patsy Miller, Janice Hinkle and husband, Doug, and David Potts and wife, Liz;
10 Grandchildren: Stephen Hinkle and wife, Liz; Jason Davis and wife, Amanda; Bryan Davis and wife, Amber; Justin Miller; Adam Miller and wife, Jackie; Jonathan Hinkle and wife, Lori; Joshua Hinkle and wife, Mandy; Josiah Michelle Hackney and husband, Daniel; Elizabeth Buerger and husband, Stephen; and Anna Hinkle;
Great Grandchildren: Titus, Elijah, Blaire, Brooke, Parker, Addison, Stella, Steven, Andrew, Wendy, Max,
Bo Riggs, Abby, Levi, Clare, Paul, Nevan, Max, Avila, Calan, Zoe, Evie and Samuel;
Several nieces, nephews and cousins;
Many other extended family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donation to be made to: The Wounded Warrior Project
You may visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org If you choose to donate by mail, please visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org and select "Donate by mail" to download the form to send with the donation.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Lester Andrew Potts, Jr., please visit our
Heartfelt Sympathies Store.