Philip Lester – June 18, 2012


Philip Lester, age 60, pastor of The Rock Church in Amarillo, died on Monday, June 18, 2012.
Funeral services for Philip Lester will be held on Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at 11:30 a.m., at The Rock Church, 1006 S. Jackson in Amarillo.  Pastor John Crane will officiate.  Burial will be in Precious Memories Section of Llano Cemetery, a private ceremony will be held at graveside for family.
He was born September 13, 1951 in Niagara Falls, New York to the late Clark and Ollie Lester.  He graduated from Niagara Falls High School in 1969 and furthered his education at Berean School of the Bible.  Upon completion of his studies at Berean in 1975, he was ordained.  On August 14, 1971 he married Karen Gross in Buffalo, New York.  Philip and Karen pioneered churches in Grand Island, New York, St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada, and Miramichi, New Brunswick, Canada.  In January of 2000 they answered the call to pastor The Rock Church in Amarillo.
He truly loved the Lord and served the ministry and the people with all his heart and soul.  He blessed many throughout his lifetime and was dearly loved by the people he came in contact with everyday.
He had a lifelong appreciation of cars, sports, and was very active in building projects and the renovation of The Rock Church.
Philip is survived by his wife of 40 years, Karen and two children, Amanda Lester Chisum, and her husband and Mark Lester and his wife, three grandchildren, Dylan Lester, Abby Chisum, and Dash Lester, all of Amarillo.  He is further survived by 4 siblings, Steve Lester, Leesburg, Florida, Eddie Lester, Linda D’Antuono, and Rick Lester, all of Niagara Falls, New York, and many nieces and nephews.
Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by 4 sisters, Margaret Jackson, Lois Jackson, Maggie Justus, and Ester Crissman.
The family requests that donations be sent to The Rock Youth, PO Box 1466, Amarillo, TX 79105.
We would like to thank everyone for your support and your prayers throughout Philip’s lifetime, you have been a blessing.  He would want you to always remember God is good.

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