Remembering Lester Allen Gilpatrick

Lester Allen Gilpatrick went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Dec. 17, 2022, at home in Roseburg. He was born at home in Broadbent, Oregon to Liles (Lousignont) and Lester Samuel Gilpatrick on March 25, 1942. He had three younger sisters, Violet, Marietta and Eileen. Lester was married to Ethel McCommis for approximately five years and had two children, Trina Lee and Kevin Allen. After the divorce, he later married Rita Thompson Burks and they raised their young children together. Lester and Rita were married 49 1/2 years. Lester's passion was all things "country" - mountains, ocean, deer and elk, fish, music and clothing. He hunted and fished from childhood. Even the last years when he physically was unable to hunt, he bought his hunting and fishing license and deer and elk tags every year with hope in his heart. When he was no longer driving, he would ask Rita to take him for a drive in the country. It didn't matter where, just out of the city. He worked for Georgia Pacific in his early adult years. Then 1973 to 1977, he worked as a janitor for Roseburg Public Schools. One of his major projects was helping clean up Joseph Lane Junior High after the kitchen and other parts of the school burned. He worked for Douglas County Road Department and then for the Parks Department from 1977 to 1999. He helped prepare River Forks Park for the first Festival of Lights and years thereafter. He was a silent witness for his Savior at work, by living faithfully for his family, ignoring ridicule of his Christian walk and speaking of his Savior when given opportunity. Lester is survived by his wife Rita, children Trina Lee (Schnell) and Kevin Allen, David Scott Burks (Carol Ann) and Ginger Sprinkle; grandchildren Melissa, Karina, Melody, Daniel, Nikki and Brett and Ben; 10 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters. Memorial services were held at Wellspring Bible Fellowship in Roseburg on Dec. 29.