Hiram J. Lester

Monday, March 9, 1998

Hiram J. Lester

Retired professor of religious studies
Dr. Hiram J. Lester, 65, of Monrovia, Calif., formerly of Bethany, W.Va., died Friday, March 6, 1998, in Santa Terrasita Hospital, Duarte, Calif.

He was born March 3, 1933, in Lanett, Ala., a son of Jeff and Nellie Lester.
Until his retirement last month, Dr. Lester had been the pastor of First Christian Church in Pasadena for eight years.
He was a retired professor of religious studies at Bethany College, where he taught for 23 years.
During his employment at Bethany College, he was co-pastor with his wife, Marge L. Lester, at First Christian Church in Canonsburg. He also was coordinator for institutional planning and wrote grant proposals for the college.
He also formerly served as pastor of First Christian Church in Cashion, Okla., and as interim pastor for 15 churches in six states.
Dr. Lester was a consultant for Historic Wellsburg (W.Va.), a director of development at Bethany College, a Greek instructor at Yale Divinity School, an instructor at Phillips University and, since 1982, a lecturer in biblical studies and early disciple history in Australia, New Zealand and seven U.S. states.
His research includes The Campbell Papers in Five Volumes (general editor), Campbell's Bethany (History and Preservation), Heralds of Gospel Liberty: Early History of Christian Church in Pennsylvania and Thomas Campbell's Career in Ireland.
He was a member of several professional organizations, including the Society of Biblical Literature, the American Academy of Religion, the Council on Christian Unity, The American Association of State and Local History, Disciples of Christ Historical Society and The Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity (Delta Beta Xi Award).
In 1955, Dr. Lester received his B.A. from Johnson Bible College (Ministries). He earned his B.D. in 1959 from the Graduate Seminary, Phillips University (New Testament) and his B.A. in 1960 from Phillips University (Philosophy/Social Studies). In 1962, he received his M.A. from Yale University (New Testament) and his Ph.D. in 1974 from Yale University (New Testament).
Surviving are his wife, Marge Lee Lester; a son, Keith Lester of Pittsburgh; two stepsons, Lee Reinstedt of Irvine, Calif., and Bruce Reinstedt of Ashland, Ore.; a stepdaughter, Jane Sheldon of Ashland, Ore.; two brothers, Jarrell Lester of Atlanta, Ga., and Larry Lester of Knoxville, Tenn.; and six grandchildren.
Deceased is his first wife, Anne Lester.
A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 14, in First Christian Church, Pasadena, with Dr. Richard Gorsuch officiating. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 21, in Bethany Memorial Church, Bethany, W.Va., with Dr. Larry Grimes and Pastor Sarah Webb officiating. Interment will follow in Campbell Cemetery, Bethany. Memorial contributions may be made to Bethany Memorial Church or Bethany College.