Lester "Buckshot" Winfree, 71, of Orange, died Friday, July 2, 2010, at his ranch.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 6, 2010, at Winfree Baptist Church, 19525 Hwy 62 South, Orange, Texas 77630, under the direction of Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. Officiating will be Pastor E. Dale Lee of Cowboy Church of Orange County.
Masonic graveside rites will follow at Winfree Family Cemetery in Winfree Community in Orange by the Bridge City Masonic Lodge 1345.
Visitation will be from 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. Monday, at Winfree Baptist Church.
Born in Orange on June 24, 1939, Mr. Winfree was the son of Jesse Laurence Winfree and Gladys Inez McDonald Winfree. He was a rancher and owner of Lester Winfree Rice and Cattle.
Lester "Buckshot" Winfree was a success in many things. He worked hard to build a business from the ground up, and was President of the Port of Orange for many years. Buckshot also was a 32nd Degree Mason at Bridge City Lodge #1345, and a member of the Scottish Rite and El Mina Shriner lodges in Galveston.
Winfree has been a board member of Bridge City Bank, Orange County Park Board, Concepts of Care, Chamber of Commerce, and many, many others. He loved the city of Orange and Bridge City and happily gave countless hours of his life to make Orange County a better place.
It's been said that a man's greatest contributions are the ones he leaves behind. If that's true, then Lester "Buckshot" Winfree was the most successful man who ever lived. His wife, Barbara, of 46 years loved him dearly and completely. He raised four children who would have done anything for him; and had friends who loved him more than some families love each other. His smile, his wit and his unflagging generosity will be missed by all.
Preceded in death by his parents, Jesse Laurence and Gladys Winfree; sister, Jeanette Winfree; and daughter, Latreece Winfree, Mr. Winfree is survived by his wife, Barbara Hutto Winfree of Winfree Community in Orange; sons, Will Winfree and his wife, Carol of Orangefield and Kirk Dillard and his wife, Tiffany of Mauriceville; and daughters, Dr. Leslie Winfree Holtkamp and her husband, Roger of Conroe and Elizabeth Winfree Neely and her husband, Paul of Orange.
He is also survived by his nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Serving as Pallbearers will be Gene Boullion, Louis Broussard, Jr., Bobby Cormier, John Gordon, Johnny Montagne, David Olson, Lynwood Sanders and John Young. Honorary Pallbearers will be Buddy Garrison, R.E. Odom, Tim Edgar, Charles Kiker, Dr. Howard Williams, Jerry Davidson, Harry Corbett, Bobby Brewer, Chad Jenkins, Keith Wallace, the Port and Navigation of Orange County Board and Employees, James Pruter, Roy Alba, David Ingle, his uncle, C.L. Armstrong, J.B. Arrington and Wayne Peveto.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Winfree Baptist Church Building Fund, 19525 Highway 62 S Orange, TX 77630.