Murray was born in Los Angeles, California on April 5, 1934, to Alexander and Edna Lester.   He died rather unexpectedly at Lompoc Valley Medical Center on April 23, 2014, but not before being surrounded by his entire family offering their love and goodbyes.  A celebration of Murray's life is planned for 2 pm Saturday, May 17 ^th at the Dick DeWees Community & Senior Center, 1120 West Ocean Avenue in Lompoc.

Murray was the youngest of his father's five children.  His father died when Murray was only nine years old, and he was subsequently raised by his single mother.  Murray left high school before graduation to pursue his life of working to get ahead.  He met the love his life, Jean Gerbac, when he was 18 and she was only 15.  They married in August 1955, just after Jean's high school graduation.  Thus began a wonderful partnership and growing family that lasted until Jean's death in 2003, after 48 years of marriage.  Murray always said that meeting Jean was "the best thing that ever happened " to him as she brought so much richness to his life experience.

Murray began working at a very young age and eventually found his way to the floorcovering business as an apprentice carpet installer in Los Angeles, working his way up to a union journeyman.  His job took him all over Southern California and Nevada and eventually to Lompoc, California.  Murray and Jean moved to Lompoc in November 1959, buying a home at the edge of town next to broccoli fields.  Murray, with the investment of a few tools and a pickup truck, immediately got busy with his installation business, Lester's Carpet Service.  Work in the growing town of Lompoc was good, and he bought property and built a retail showroom/warehouse and renamed the business Lester's Carpet Sales & Service.  Further expansion brought a second store, Lester's Carpet & Interiors, to Solvang from 1981-1990.  Murray was steadfast in his devotion to the business he grew with the help of his wife Jean, eventually his daughter Jeanne, her husband Mike and many loyal employees through 52 years until finally the decision was made to close in November 2011.  Murray loved Lompoc and the Central Coast and was ever grateful for the business opportunity that had presented itself… that Murray characteristically jumped at…that led to a great life for him and his family!

Murray and Jean had five daughters, so he was certainly "outnumbered," but he was still "King" of his domain.  His family brought him great pride, and although he may have had a gruff bark, he was tender-hearted and always ready to offer an apology if feelings got hurt.  He survived his daughters' five weddings that all turned into memorable reception/parties hosted in Murray and Jean's home and yard.  As grandchildren expanded the Lester family, he and Jean never failed to do their best to be wherever needed to help out and cheer on the next generation.  Friends and extended family were always enthusiastically welcomed by Murray and Jean to their homes in Lompoc or Lake Tahoe.

Murray was a mountain-lover.  In his younger years, he enjoyed tent camping and fishing in the Sierras, especially at Cedar Grove in Kings Canyon.  Numerous road trips took the family throughout most of the Western United States, to British Columbia and Alberta, Canada (including his parents' place of origin before they immigrated to Los Angeles, Salmon Arm, BC) and even all the way up the Alaskan highway before it was completely paved.  The family also camped and boated at Meek's Bay Resort at Lake Tahoe.  In 1974, he and Jean decided to buy a cabin at Meek's Bay.  The Tahoe Cabin became the pivotal family gathering place over the decades as Murray spent much of his vacation time "working" on rebuilding the place from top to bottom.  His entire family, including his 13 grandchildren, will be forever grateful for the legacy of cherished "Tahoe Time" bestowed on them by Murray and Jean.

In addition to the outdoors, Murray was a "car guy" owning many cars, trucks, recreational vehicles and boats over the years.  He also loved airplanes and flying and obtained his private pilot license in the early 1970s. He loved wood working and building and was the original "DIY'er" before there was such a term.  His keen interest and study of WWII, from his boyhood and throughout his life, led him to Normandy France for the 60 ^th anniversary of D-Day in 2004.  He built and meticulously painted countless scale models of every plane flown during the war and even an aircraft carrier.

For many years, Murray was active in the local area as a member of Junior Optimists, Lompoc Valley Club, Rotary Club, Vikings of Solvang, Elks Club, Lompoc Chamber of Commerce and a supporter of "Relay for Life."  He sponsored many local youth sports teams and school activities, particularly those involving his children and grandchildren, through Lester's Carpet.

Murray was a force to be reckoned with!  He had an outsized personality that always enjoyed a good joke, and teasing was his favorite way to communicate with those he loved.  He embraced everything he cared about with an exuberant passion, taking risks with the belief that " things have a way of always working out for the best ."

Murray is survived and will be dearly missed by his daughters and their families:  Jeanne and Michael Wilson (Lompoc), Christine and Ed Deats (Ballard), Maureen and Tom Picarella (Folsom), Terri and Bart Connolly (Los Altos) and Tricia and Derek Aguilar (Lompoc).   His 13 grandchildren are Eric and Brent Wilson, TJ and Danny Picarella, Logan, Justin and Collin Deats, Dana, Scott and Jillian Connolly, Alex, Ryan and Lauren Aguilar.  He is also survived by his cousin Norna Sporrer, her husband Louis (Indian Wells) and their family, in addition to his sister-in-law, Kathy Grbac (Lompoc), brother-in-law, Joseph Gerbac (Solvang) and nieces and nephews.  His dear friend, Bonnie Nelson, became like another family member the last few years of his life and will also miss him.

His family is also appreciative of the care provided to Murray by his long-time physician, Dr. Cory Gusland, as well as the medical professionals at Lompoc Hospital over the years and the final hours of his life.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest donations be made  in Murray's name to: Lompoc Hospital Foundation, PO Box 883, Lompoc, CA 93438-0883 or Tahoe Fund , PO Box 7124, Tahoe City, CA 96145 or tahoefund.org or the charity of your choice.