Lester Reavis Martin passed on July 26 after battling cardiac disease for nearly 20 years. He was born in Abilene, TX and subsequently lived in Austin, TX, Lincroft, NJ, and Colts Neck, NJ. Lester obtained a BS in physics and math from Abilene Christian University. He obtained a MS and completed PhD work in operations research and mechanical engineering at University of Texas at Austin. Subsequently, he worked in Austin at the software development startup, Execucom until 1986 when he moved to NJ to work at ATT/Bell Labs until retirement.

Lester is survived by his wife of 54 years, Melinda. Survivors also include brothers-in-law Kirk Jones, John Bostick, and Charles Neal, his nephew Ryan Jones, nieces Kira Turner, and Sharon Suderman, and half-sister Noeline Abery. He is predeceased by his parents Oather Lester Martin and Belvie L Hiler Martin, his sister Lavene Martin Jones, sister-in-law Annette Neal Bostick, and sister-in-law Maria Elena Garcia Neal.

Lester’s life-long passion was exploring the National Parks of the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and a few other countries. When he became too frail to travel, he effectively became an advertising agent for the parks.

In his final years, Lester spent hours on his phone reconnecting with many of the people who had touched his life over 75 years.

End of life arrangements are being facilitated by Holmdel Funeral Home. There will be no services in NJ. Lester has been cremated and will be returned to Abilene, TX and interred privately at a later date.

If you want to make a formal remembrance of Lester, please donate to the Monmouth County SPCA to support Lester’s life-long passion for caring for homeless cats, or to National Parks Conservation Association.