Arthur J. Lester, III

•Worked for National Weather Service in Gray

Arthur J. Lester III, of Raymond, died unexpectedly Thursday, Aug. 7, 2008, while swimming from his boat on Jordan Bay.

He was known by his many friends as 'Art' but to his family he was always 'Artie.' Born in 1944, he was a native of Virginia, where he grew up. He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1967, and served at Tan Son Nhut Airbase in Vietnam. It was there that he received his meteorology training, which led to a lifelong fascination with the weather and other forces of nature. He worked for the National Weather Service for 37 years, 27 of them in Gray.

Before settling in the Raymond area, he lived and worked in some uncommon but interesting locations. Among them was Barrow, Alaska, the Polar Ice Cap, Winnemucca, Nev., and Caribou.

Art preferred the simple life. No glitz or glamour for him. His idea of a great time was hanging out with his friends, watching the Red Sox, sailing his boat and spending time with his longtime love, Lois Chase. An avid sports fan, he was active in Fantasy Football League, where he was the Commissioner more than once. His sense of humor was legendary. He was always ready with a quip or a joke. He has legions of friends who will cherish his memory. In fact, his friends were his family in Maine and his traveling companions on trips to Costa Rica and Spain.

He was Born Dec. 9, 1944. Predeceased by his parents, Arthur and Rowena Lester. He is survived by his son, Jeremy Lester of Naples, his daughter, Jennifer Moore of Smithfield, Va.; and his beautiful grandchildren, Haley, Faith and Adam also of Smithfield. He is also survived by his brother, Richard Lester and his wife Vicki Burden, his sisters, Lindsay Brooks and her husband Chip and Frances Brake and her husband Thad. All his nieces and nephews loved their uncle Artie. He will be missed most of all by Lois Chase of Cape Elizabeth, the undisputed love of his life.