Lester Dempsey, 76, of Craigsville, WV, passed away Wednesday, April 5, 2017, at Hubbard Hospice House in Charleston, WV, after a long illness.

Born in Camden-on-Gauley, Lester was the son of the late John Dempsey and the late Elizabeth Hebb Dempsey. He attended Little Glade Baptist Church.

A memorial service will be 1-3 p.m. Friday, April 14, 2017 at Morris Funeral Home in Cowen with the Rev. Keith Williams presiding. Eastern Star services are at 2 p.m. Masonic Rites will be performed at West Virginia Memorial Gardens in Calvin.

Lester was a coal miner for more than 40 years, most of that time as a boss or foreman for Island Creek Coal Company and Consol. After retiring in 1997, he volunteered with the Shriners, Eastern Star and community groups. Just like his father, Lester never met a stranger and was willing to help anyone in need.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Brenda Williams Dempsey; daughter Crystal Dempsey of Charleston; son Lester “Butch” Dempsey of San Antonio, Texas; his grandchildren Sydney Elisabeth, Ashley Elaine and Bryce Parker of Lake Charles, Louisiana; his sisters, Grethel and Jon McBirney of Bonita Springs, Florida; Ann Trier of Akron, Ohio; Charlotte Brooks of East Bank; his brothers, Mike and Connie Dempsey of Cottle; Lonnie and Peggy Dempsey of Craigsville.

Lester graduated from Cowen High School in 1960 and attended as many alumni banquets and reunions as possible with Brenda by his side. He also attended mining classes offered by West Virginia University.

He was a Shriner with the Beni Kedem Temple, where he volunteered to help transport children and families to Shriners Hospitals for Children in Lexington, Kentucky, and Cincinnati, Ohio. He also enjoyed driving the Model T car in parades. He often was a key organizer in the annual onion sale and golf tournament fundraisers.

Lester was a 32rd degree/Summersville Masonic Lodge #76, where he served as Deputy Grand Master in 2009. He was a member of Scottish Rite and Knights Templar.

Lester was very active in the Order of the Eastern Star and served as Worthy Grand Patron of West Virginia in 2003-04. He is the Worthy Patron of Wakoma #52 and Camden-on-Gauley #161. He served as Worthy Patron many times in his 45-year membership. He served as Grand Representative to North Carolina in 2005 and was a member of the General Grand Committee 2006-2009.

He loved to hunt and fish. He enjoyed playing golf or cards when he wasn’t attending a meeting or traveling with his beloved wife.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Beni Kedem Shriners Transportation Committee, 100 Quarrier St., Charleston, WV 25301.