Lester V. Mershon, 98, of Abilene, Texas has gone home to be with his loving wife on Monday, January 5, 2015. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, January 7, 2015 in North's Memorial Chapel, 242 Orange from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Services will be held Thursday, January 8, 2015 at Elmwood Memorial Park, with Michael Reed officiating. Lester was born in Merkel, Texas on January 19, 1916. Lester moved to Abilene, Texas in 1924, and graduated from Abilene High School in 1933. Lester entered the United States Air Force in 1942, where he tested out as a Maintenance Engineer. He was presented by the Army Air Forces Technical Training Command for a scholarship at Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut. Lester served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. He served 26 months and 18 days in the South Pacific during WW II. He spent time in Hawaii, Tarawa, and the Makin Islands in 1943 and 1944. He landed in Okinawa Island on Easter Sunday 1945. He left Okinawa on December 10, 1945, and then went to Seattle, WA on December 31, 1945. He met and married his beloved wife, Bessie Sisk from Fort Worth, Texas in 1945. He was discharged from active duty in January, 1946, but stayed in the Air Force Reserve for 26 years, and retired from the Air Force as ASA Lieutenant Col., January 30, 1976. Lester was a life member of the Military Officers Association of America, Red Cross Volunteer for 21 years at Dyess Air Force Base with many certificates given. He also helped the polio patients in Kerrville, Texas in the 50"s. He was an avid member of Calvary Baptist Church for many years, and loved his savior, Jesus Christ. Lester had a passion for animals He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, and wife, Bessie Mershon. He is survived by his daughter, Jane Turner, of Abilene, his son, Lester Mershon, Jr., of Mesquite, Texas, four grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.