Lester James Walsh

Published 9:17 am Friday, January 20, 2017

Lester James Walsh, 92, of Athens, Tenn., passed away Wednesday, January 18, 2017, at U.T. Medical Center in Knoxville. He was born in Heaton, N.C., raised in Elk Park (Dark Ridge), N.C., former resident of Elizabethton, Tenn., resident of McMinn County, Tenn., since 1965, and was a son of the late Judd Dewey Walsh and Flora Bernice Cook Walsh. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Amos Walsh and Burt Walsh.
Mr. Walsh moved to McMinn County in 1965 with Beaunit Inc. He was a former employee of ExCello and a former employee of Cherokee Hardware. He was a member and deacon of First Baptist Church of Athens, where he also was a member of the Senior Adult Choir. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served in World War II.
Survivors include his wife of 69 years, Ruth Alice Ward Walsh of Athens, Tenn.; three sons and daughters, Randall and Rhonda Walsh of Cleveland, Tenn., Roger and Gail Walsh of Athens, Tenn., and Steve and Penny Walsh of Knoxville, Tenn.; two sisters, Mary Ellen (Verlie) Peters of Elizabethton, Tenn., and Kate Braswell of Baltimore, Md.; five brothers, Jake “J.D.” Walsh of Elizabethton, Tenn., Royce Walsh of Pickens, S.C., Phil Walsh of Kingston, Tenn., and Glenn Walsh of Elk Park, N.C.; seven grandchildren, Aaron Walsh, Amanda Williams, Angela Rayburn, Holly Walsh, Nick Walsh, Megan Thomas and Caitlin Brock; 17 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank special caregivers, Jane Fraizer, Teja Curry and Patsy.
Funeral services will be conducted at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, January 21, at First Baptist Church of Athens with Dr. Jason Clark officiating. Interment will follow in Cedar Grove Cemetery with Military Honors. Active pallbearers will be Nick Walsh, Aaron Walsh, Scout Rayburn, Hank Brock, Justin Brock and Travis Rayburn. Honorary pallbearers will be Fred Fraizer and Bill Sykes. The family will receive friends at the church from 2:30 until 3:30 p.m. Saturday. Those unable to attend may send condolences at www.laycock-hobbs.com.
Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home, Athens, Tenn., is in charge of arrangements.