Services Set for Gary Lester, District 58 Board Member

TribLocal has a moving story about Lester's last days, here.

Services have been set for Gary Lester, 58, the District 58 school board member who died last night after a two-month battle with cancer.

His wife, Shelly, shared the arrangements on Lester's Facebook page, where friends, former students, colleagues and family members have been offering their condolences since learning of his passing.

The visitation will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday, April 2, at Hallowell and James Funeral Home, 301 75th St. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 3 at O'Neill Middle School, 635 59th St., one of the schools Lester served as a District 58 board member.

The district marked Lester's death with a message on its website and School Board President Elizabeth Davis offered a heartfelt tribute.

"I was saddened this morning to learn of the passing of Board Member Lester," she said. "Since he was elected to the District 58 board two years ago, Gary made a significant impact through his educational leadership, professionalism and insight. While his voice and input will be sorely missed, Gary's impact and presence in our school community will continue due to his dedication and commitment to the children in Downers Grove."

"He was my go-to man," said Steve Funk, board vice president, who sat next to Lester on the school board dais. "He would explain the nuances of ISAT scores and share his insights. He was very eloquent. He was very fair."

Lester was elected in 2009 to the District 58 school board, where he maintained a thoughtful and even-handed response to the personality clashes that frequently erupted.

Prior to his run, he had retired from south suburban high school District 205 after 33 years of service. For most of that time he was a social studies teacher, coach, dean, assistant principal and, finally, principal at Thornwood High School in South Holland.

He also served as master principal for District 205 schools and, in 2006, was named Illinois High School Principal of the Year.

His years at Thornwood, which has a black enrollment of 90 percent, informed Lester's perspective on Downers Grove schools. He called me last fall to share his insights into the need, particularly at the high school level, for more minority teachers who could serve as role models to their students.

Similarly, his thoughts on a state requirement that all students take the ACT test expanded my understanding. While administering the tests to all students, including those not college-bound, might lower district and state averages, it also sometimes convinced a kid with few prospects that he could, indeed, go to college, Lester said. For those kids, the ACT requirement could literally change their lives. 

That was the sort of thoughtful discussion and perspective Lester brought to the table. 

Lester and his wife were parents to six children. Their youngest, Taylor, entered El Sierra school last fall. In addition to volunteering at El Sierra, Lester coached Downers Grove Youth Baseball, Longshots baseball and Panther Junior football, according to the District 58 website.

Over the past two months, Lester chronicled his fight with cancer on Facebook, where dozens of well-wishers left birthday greetings for him on March 23. Throughout, he maintained an attitude of appreciation for the prayers and support offered by former students, family members and friends.