Lester Collins Jr., 92, Aug. 14 in Houston. A Baylor University graduate, his college education was interrupted by World War II, when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He eventually attained the rank of lieutenant commander and at 23 years old became the youngest ship commander in the South Pacific. Lester Collins Jr.After the war, he returned to Baylor to complete his undergraduate studies. While pursuing an advanced math degree at UCLA, he felt God’s call to preach and returned to Texas to attend Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Over 64 years of ministry, he was pastor of seven churches throughout Texas. His pastorates included Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler, where he served from 1962 to 1965 and again as interim pastor from 1989 to 1991. He was pastor of Tallowood Baptist Church in Houston from 1969 to 1989, and later was named pastor emeritus. He rejoined the church in 1998 and was teaching a Sunday school class there. He was preceded in death by his wife, Catherine, in 1993. He is survived by his wife, Jan; brother, Paul; sister, Joy Almaas; sons, Lester III and Mark; daughter, Laura Bowers; 11 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.
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