Lester Ray Warner

Lester Ray Warner, also known as “Sonny” and “Flatlander”, was born December 15, 1931 in Bement,
Illinois. He grew up on a farm with his sister Joanna, graduating from Bement Township High School in
May of 1949. He enlisted in the United States Air Force on December 11, 1951 in Chicago, honorably
servicing our country as an apprentice plumber and later in plumbing repair, being discharged from
Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Michigan on October 30, 1953 due to family hardship. “Sonny” returned
home to assist in farming the family farm near Bement.
“Sonny” met the love of his life Jeanette “Jan” Mae Curry and married at Zion Lutheran Church on
September 18, 1954 in East Tawas, Michigan. They were married nearly 70-happy fun-filled years until
Jan left this earth on May 21, 2023 at the age of 89.
Favorite memories involved the Curry Cabin in Michigan, a gathering point for family through the years
and during hunting seasons. The stories he could tell with his handsome smile were heart-warming to
all. His United States of America flag from Military Service Honors will be sent there as a reminder of his
love for the Curry family.
Les and Jan left Illinois in April of 1970 after finding another life and their paradise in LaGrande, Union
County, Oregon where they resided the remainder of their lives. These soul-mates thoroughly enjoyed
the outdoor hobby of gardening and loved exploring the mountains of Eastern Oregon after leaving the
flat land of Illinois. They both enjoyed fishing, hunting big game and birds, and lived with the
companionship of their faithful dogs. Les enjoyed competitive trap shooting, achieving the distinctive
honor of “100” successful shots in a row.
“Flatlander”, as many people fondly addressed him in La Grande, touched people in positive ways as a
good friend, helping however and whenever he could. He also served by participating in the community
to make it a better to place to live, building friendships through kindness and respect wherever he went.
This is what God wants us to do. He was a member of the American Legion Post 43 for 29-years, served
on the La Grande Cemetery District board of directors for 14-years, was a member of the Ancient Free
and Accepted Masons for 70-years (achieving 3 rd Degree), and was a long-term member of the First
Presbyterian Church, the National Rifle Association and the La Grande Gun Club.
His work-life involved plumbing monitoring and repair in manufacturing and storage of chemicals for
various companies in Michigan, Illinois, and Colorado, finally ending his career after 15+ years with
Borden Chemical Co. near La Grande, Oregon.
Les was preceded in death by his loving wife Jan and his parents John and Anna. He is survived by his
sister Joanna of Bement, many nieces and nephews who reside in the mid-West and East, as well as his
“adopted” family and close friends in La Grande, Oregon.
Celebrations of life will occur at both First Presbyterian Churches. The celebration in La Grande, Oregon
is on March 9 at 11:00 am, and the Bement, Illinois celebration will be on April 27, 2024 at 1:00 pm.

Memorial gifts, in lieu of flowers, will be gratefully received by either church. Condolences may be sent
to H. Brent Lewis, 1910 Foley Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850, who will share them with the family.