Lester Joseph Harmon Sr.

RAYNE - Funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2019, at 11:30 a.m. at Cunningham CME Church in Rayne, for Lester Joseph Harmon Sr.
Lester Joseph Harmon Sr., affectionately known by most as “Private,” was born in Branch on September 27, 1939, to Ernest and Harriet Harmon.
A devoted man of God, he was a dedicated member of Cunningham C.M.E. Church in Rayne. A faithful servant, he served the church in a number of ways, but was committed to being a member of the Joint Board of Finance and a Steward.
Pré was a die-hard Lakers fan, who often ‘talked to Kobe,’ and was dedicated to his family and his many friends. After retiring from BFI Waste Services, he became affectionately known as a part of the Wal-Mart Family as “Mr. Lester.”
On Friday, April 5, the gates of Heaven opened and the angels of God descended to Rayne to carry Lester to his final resting place.
He leaves to cherish his memories his wife of 55 years, Jane Lois Phillips Harmon of Rayne; his children, Rita Butler Guidry (Harold), Ursula Hawkins, Harvey Hawkins, Lester Harmon Jr., Dexter Harmon (Phyllis), Marlon J. Forman, all of Rayne, and TeRand Lair of Lafayette. He helped to raise Kenneth Ray, Darrell, the late Jasper Dale Phillips, Stephanie Clark and Stacey Davis of New Orleans; one brother, Harold Harmon; one sister, Elnora Charles of Rayne; sisters-in-law, Lillie Harmon, Gertrude Cole and Delores Board of Rayne; two godchildren, Magnolia Hollier and Corey Wilridge of Rayne; devoted friends, Al and Wendy Francis, L.J. and Marie Nickson, and Louis Domingue Sr., all of Rayne, and Warren “Buck” Buchanan of Houston, Texas; 12 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Harriet Harmon; six brothers, Lawrence “Tabby”, Gatta Sr., Percy “PR”, Wilton Sr., Howard and Ernest Harmon; and three sisters, Odelia “Baby Sis”, “Tut” Harmon and Sadie Bell Harmon.
The family has requested viewing be observed between the hours of 8 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 13, at Cunningham CME Church in Rayne.
Kinchen Funeral Home Inc., 1011 North Saint Antoine Street, Lafayette LA 70501, is in charge of arrangements. Additionally, condolences to the family can be expressed on the website at www.kinchenfuneralhome.com.