Obituary of Lester Malcom

Lester Oakley Malcom passed away June 6, 2016, in Hugo, Colorado. He was 90 years old. He was admitted to the hospital there on May 10, where it was discovered that he had bone cancer. Lester Oakley Malcom was born on April 26, 1926, in the family farm home 10 miles north of Limon. He was the youngest of 3 children born to Oakley John, and Anna Carrie (Schlegel) Malcom. He had one sister, Cleo, who was 13 years older, and one brother, Dale, 10 years older. Lester grew up on his family’s farm, raising crops and livestock, and acquiring a love of farm life which he cherished throughout his lifetime. Lester’s father, Oak, had homesteaded north of Limon in 1906, coming here from Iowa. Lester attended country school near the farm through 8th grade, then went to high school in Limon, graduating in 1944. He liked school and was good at it. His school years were among his happiest, he once said. After high school Lester continued working on the farm. Those were World War II years in which all Americans sacrificed and worked overtime to keep the war effort strong. His brother, Dale, was serving overseas in the army, so Lester and his folks tended to Dale’s land and livestock, as well as their own, doing all they could to keep the farm going during those difficult years. He also began dating a neighbor girl, Lois (Bonnie) Shinogle, and upon her graduation from Limon High School, was married to her on June 8, 1947. They moved into a nearby farm home where they lived, farmed, and raised a family. They lived there for over 68 years, until moving to Limon in January of this year. Lester and Bonnie had 3 sons: Daryl, who died at birth, Terry, born in 1951, and Randy, born in 1952. Lester enjoyed working and playing with his sons, passing on to them a love of the land, working hard, a love of baseball and other sports, and of spending time with family. He enjoyed community gatherings at Walk’s Camp Park, playing horseshoes and cards, and worked alongside his neighbors frequently during his early years farming. He was a devoted husband and father, and attended most of the activities his children and grandchildren were involved in. He helped lead the Walk’s Camp 4-H Club, was an early member of the Lincoln County 4-H Foundation, and also served on the board of the Limon CO-OP for several years. He was a member of the Limon Methodist Church. Lester was a good businessman, and over time built the family farm to an operation of sufficient size to enable both his sons to establish their own farms. Son Terry married Naomi Butler, and they had 3 children: Mindy (Ted) Hilferty, Megan, and Chad (Ashley Scherrer). Son Randy married Peggy Schuler and they had 3 children: Leslie (Jeremiah) Wade, Janice (Mark) Bee, and Laura (Lincoln) Korell. Lester also had 11 great grandchildren: Victoria and Elise Hilferty; Braelyn, Tinsley, and Adra Malcom; Aly and Emma Wade; and John, Kayla, Cash, and Sadie Bee. His granddaughter Megan graduated from the Air Force Academy and serves as a Major in the U. S. Air Force, for which Lester took great pride. Lester was always good with kids, and his grandchildren and great grandchildren were his pride and joy. Bonnie contracted cancer in 1983, which she continues to receive treatments for, and over a period of many years Lester faithfully attended to her medical needs, making many trips to Denver and locally to care for her. Lester was an avid Broncos and Rockies fan, a devoted follower of the Limon Badgers, and a proud alumnus of Limon High School. He and Bonnie received the Outstanding Alumnus Award in 2000, and the Honoray L Club Award in 2008. He was especially interested in Limon Badger Football. Lester had a strong bond with the town of Limon. His life was centered around the town and surrounding community. During his retirement years he enjoyed daily trips to town for coffee with friends, and an evening drive to the breaks to see the deer and look at the crops. Lester had a winsome and jovial personality which endeared him to nearly everyone who met him. He was a quiet and humble man who never sought the spotlight, but whose life was a light to all who knew him. Lester was preceded in death by a son, Daryl, his parents Oak and Anna, his sister Cleo (Glenn) Nickell, and his brother Dale. He is survived by his wife, Lois, his sons Terry and Randy, six grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.