Lester Magers

Lester, “Les”, Albert Magers was born on November 23, 1949, in Billings, MT, to Cecilia Louise Farris and Frederick William Magers. He joined Fred Jr., Vada and Paul. Marla and Martin came along several years later making him a big brother.

In 1953, at the age of four he was very excited to be moving to Denver by airplane. The long stairway into the airplane did intimidate him a bit. Once airborne he would giggle freely every time an air pocket was experienced. He succeeded in relaxing everyone nearby as they giggled with him.

He watched his first TV show with Grandpa Woody Farris shortly after they arrived in Denver. He was mesmerized by TV for the rest of his life. He watched Roy Rogers, other westerns, The Dick Clark show and Jeopardy regularly, answering many a question!

The family moved back to Billings in 1957. Lester graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1968. Most of his teachers would probably remember him for his doodles on his papers and notebooks.

It was this love of art that took him to Denver where he attended the Colorado Institute of Art (CIA). He worked part-time at Odds & Ends Lumber Co., owned by his Uncle Bill and Aunt Lora Belle Anderson. After three weeks of school and work he finally wrote home, “School is really a blast as far as schoolmates and instructors go.” “I can't believe how primitive the stuff I have at home is compared to what I can do now. I've improved more in three weeks than from the time I've had a crayon in my hand.” He was positive that commercial art was where he was supposed to be. Lester initially roomed with high school classmate, Joe Sherman and later with Uncle Bill's nephew, Mort Anderson. Les only shared a few stories.

After graduating from CIA he searched for jobs in Denver, Chicago and Billings. He was told he did not have enough experience or was over qualified for the job. Jack Bowland, a fellow CIA classmate invited him to Chicago, where Lester stayed for about a month while job hunting. He interviewed with Solo Cups. Les designed a Pepsi can, but it wasn't used so he didn't get paid. One February in the late 1970s he sent out 108 resumes. Over the years he would pick up a few small art jobs, but ultimately was unable to find steady work in his beloved career choice.

Lester worked at Montana Brake Engineering from approximately 1974 until the company closed in 1986. In May of 1982 he moved out of the family home on Lewis Avenue, where he, Paul, Marla and Martin grew up. He moved to a house of his own in Lockwood, but was out of steady work for about three years. Times were tough and he was on food stamps for a short time.

In 1989 he started working for Bert's Auto/Rimrock Auto Group. Life got better with a full-time income. He held various positions while there. One of his jobs was to transport customers to and from the dealership while their vehicles were being serviced. October 10, 2010 he was on his way back to the dealership when a woman hit the company vehicle he was driving. He was transported to the ER with a few bumps and bruises. At a follow-up appointment Lester told the doctor he just didn't feel steady yet. After further testing he was diagnosed with Parkinson's. He continued to work there until his 65th birthday in 2014. He was there for 25 years.

When Dad died in March of 1991, Mom decided to move back to Billings. Lester moved into the house with a shop on Frances August of 1992. We moved Mom in July of 1993 to join him. They took care of each other until Mom was tired of cooking at 103 years old and Lester needed more help. We cleaned up the house, shop and property to sell. Mom and Lester moved to Westpark Village late August 2021.

Parkinson's took away so much from Lester. He lost time to work on his real and his plastic model cars, but the disease seemed to free his spirit in other ways. None of the family knew he could sing, but he sure showed us and all who were gathered at the country picnic held for all families of The Pearl residents, a memory care unit at Westpark Village. He also did some dancing that night! Speaking of dancing, he had done some on St. Patrick's Day also and there is a video to prove it.

Lester would often say, “Mr. P (for Parkinson) did it,” when something went missing or was messed up. Lester never married, but while living in The Pearl at Westpark Village, he (or was it Mr. P?!) made two proposals to ladies who helped care for him the last sixteen months of his life. He told them he would take good care of them. How sweet was that?

He was a sweet and gentle man. He donated his time, talent and treasury to charities he believed in. He was a good listener and quick with his dry sense of humor, which he never lost.

He joined our parents and brother Paul on July 30, 2023, at the age of 73. He is survived by many who loved him dearly.

Donations may be made to Parkinson's research or to Mary Queen of Peace Building Fund.