Obituaries / LJWorld.com

Obituaries

A funeral service for Lester Newton Proctor, 78, Lawrence, will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Warren-McElwain Mortuary. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.
He died Friday, Oct. 16, 2009, at his home.
He was born Aug. 29, 1931, in Hiawatha, the son of Lester D. and Hazel Hudson Proctor.
Mr. Proctor graduated from University High School in Lawrence. He worked part time through school at the Lawrence Commonwealth Theatres. He was a motion picture projectionist and worked as an assistant theater manager for several years before joining the Air Force in 1952. He attended basic training at Parks Air Force Base, Hayworth, Calif.
Mr. Proctor went to Aircraft and Engine School at Sheppard Air Force Base at Wichita Falls, Texas. Later he was assigned to the Strategic Air Command base at Omaha, Neb., as an engine mechanic in the periodic maintenance squadron. He was honorably discharged from the Air Force on Aug. 26, 1956, with the rank of sergeant.
Following his service he returned to Lawrence and worked for his father-in-law, Harry O. Westergren, at Westergren Plumbing and Electric Company as an apprentice electrician for several years. He later worked for the Kansas Public Services Company as a journeyman electrician. In 1964 he started his own business, Les Proctor Electric, and operated this business until his retirement in 2006.
He served on the city of Lawrence electrical board for several years. He was also active in the American Legion Dorsey-Liberty Post 14 and the Jaycees, where he helped start the Achievement Place for Boys.
He lived in Lawrence until moving to a home in rural Eudora in 1971.
He married Dorothy Louise Westergren on Feb. 25, 1951, at the First Baptist Church in Lawrence. She died Sept. 6, 2007.
Survivors include two sons, Gregory L., Tonganoxie, and Harry A., Aurora, Colo.; a brother, Robert, Lawrence; two sisters, Carol Guy and Darlene Bright, both of Lawrence; eight grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two sons, Gary Lester and Mike R.
The family will greet friends from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. today at the mortuary.
The family suggests memorials to Douglas County Visiting Nurses, Rehabilitation and Hospice Care, sent in care of the mortuary.
Online condolences may be sent at warrenmcelwain.com, subject: Proctor.