Skip to main content

Lester A. Walker Sr.

Thu, 04/07/2022 - 09:10

Lester A. Walker Sr., a retired head of custodial services at East Hampton High School, died of cardiac arrest on March 21 in Wellington, Fla. He was 80.

"An industrious worker all of his life," Mr. Walker started working at an early age in North Carolina and moved to Southampton after high school, where he met the love of his life, Ola M. Davis, who survives. The two were married on Dec. 2, 1962, and reared their family in East Hampton. His career took him to East Hampton High School, where he worked in the custodial department for 34 years, retiring in 2007 as head of the department.

Mr. Walker "kept faith and family first in his life," his family wrote. He was confirmed at St. Luke's Episcopal Church here. After he and his wife retired to West Palm Beach, Fla., he attended St. David's in the Pines Episcopal Church.

Mr. Walker was born in Camden, N.C., on July 19, 1941, to Walter L. Walker and the former Josie Clark. He grew up in Camden and spent many happy years there, his family said. A natural-born athlete, he was a member of his high school basketball team and continued his passion for sports as a basketball, baseball, and football fan throughout his life. He was the kind of person who never missed a game.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Walker is survived by a son, Lester A. Walker Jr. of Atlanta, two grandchildren, Brianna Walker of Houston and Tomisha Walker of Connecticut, and two great-grandchildren, Caiden Norman and Camryn Lewis. He also leaves a sister, Brenda Brooks of North Carolina, two nieces, and a nephew. A son, Walter Leon Walker, and a sister, Delila Sylvester, died before him.

A small family service will be held at a later date.

Villages

Shades of Wild East in Popular Fishing Tourney

The Mr. Poseidon Montauk Striper Challenge, a fierce competition with a large cash prize, brought hundreds of competitors to the hamlet for a catch-and-release striped bass contest that is touted by its organizer as the “biggest surf fishing tournament on the East Coast.” Critics say it left a trail of problems.

Oct 29, 2026

Whalemen, Shipwrecks, Coded Messages

Atlantic Avenue, which terminates in one of the most seasonally popular beaches in town, was from 1870 to 1918 a working man’s hub focused on the capture of whales. The historical preservationist Robert Hefner detailed this era along with tales of shipwrecks, Nazi saboteurs, and more in a talk last weekend.

Oct 29, 2026

History Still Under Threat

In an increasingly homogenized world, preservation “is what makes places distinct,” Michael Devonshire told the Ladies Village Improvement Society during its 33rd annual Landmarks Luncheon, pointing to “some wonderful local examples of absolute gems that you should all be proud of.”

Oct 29, 2026

 

Your support for The East Hampton Star helps us deliver the news, arts, and community information you need. Whether you are an online subscriber, get the paper in the mail, delivered to your door in Manhattan, or are just passing through, every reader counts. We value you for being part of The Star family.

Your subscription to The Star does more than get you great arts, news, sports, and outdoors stories. It makes everything we do possible.