LESTER O'DONALD REDD

Lester O’Donald Redd was born August 8, 1937 to the late Lester Purnell Redd and Arletta Bernice Proctor in Indianapolis, Indiana.  After the untimely death of his mother, Lester was raised and nurtured by the loving hands of his grandmother, Louise L. Redd.  Lester accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age and later became a member of St. Rita Catholic Church in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Lester affectionately known as “Don” attended School 37 and Arsenal Technical High School.  Blessed with gifted hands, Lester excelled at mechanics, using tools and applying his skills to repair cars, motorcycles and becoming a skilled handyman in all areas.

Around 1971, Lester found love in the eyes of a beautiful young woman, Rosalind Jeanne Kinsey. Encouraged by the love and rearing of his Grandmother, Lester had an affinity for children with the likes of a Guardian Angel. After learning about the unfortunate death of his best friend, Henry Webster, the loving young couple took in his daughter, Judy Ann and raised her as their own.  On September 26, 1972, the two hearts became one.  In 1974, the young couple was blessed with their second gift to life; Philana Simone. The young couple doted on their precious flowers(daughters) watering(raising) them with the teachings of the love of God; instilling morals, values and providing them with the wisdom to the keys of life.  In 1984, after a tragic accident, God called Rosalind to Heavens Gates.  This union celebrated 10 years of wedded bliss.

Now, a widowed father, Lester gained loving support from Lisa Paulette Brewer and the two united in Holy Matrimony in June,1984.  In 1985, the couple planted their first seed, Michael O’Donald.  In 1987, after a separation, Lester was also gifted with his second son, Joshua Jermaine.  Missing the love they shared, the couple reunited and in 1989, the couples last princess; Ashante Raquel was born.  Now, with his blended family, Lester left no stone unturned and provided all the affection, encouragement and stability, taking care of all of his families needs.

In 1997, Lester was again faced with tragic news; the loss of his beloved Lisa.  With God by his side, Lester again, became a widowed father.

Lester exhibited a strong work ethic and held many positions over the years.  Seeking a better life for his young family, in 1972 Lester obtained his CDL license, became a member of the Teamsters Local Union #716 and found employment with H&H Bulk Transport as a dump truck driver.  He remained employed until 1989 and then became an over the road semi truck driver. From state to state and at every toll, Lester carried the adoration of his family in his heart, and remained a semi truck driver until his retirement in 1999.

After retirement, the proud father and now grandparent, reminisced on the fruits of his labor watching his seeds blossom into beautiful flowers.  All adults now, some watering their own flowers, while others were on their life journey to a productive life.  Each of them equipped with the wisdom, God fearing values, morals and strong work ethic he instilled in them in their childhood.  

During this time, Lester found companionship and love in the heart of Deborah “Debbie” Thompkins.  After a long courtship, on June 14, 2003, the couple recited their vows before God and were joined together as husband and wife.  After his health decline, with a gentle heart and caring hands, Debbie was his guiding light to the end.  This union shared 26 years of precious memories and love.

Lester was an avid fisherman and enjoyed his various hobbies including; possessing his knife and gun collection; boating; traveling and taking family vacations; utilizing his gifted hands to build model cars; and then, there were motorcycles.  Lester had a passion for building motorcycles. Lester’s love for motorcycles began in 1964 when he became known as “Mr. D”.  He was a club member of the Devil’s Posse and Kentuckiana Gun Slingers (Indianapolis, IN Chapter). Lester also founded the Los Simba’s and Dealers Choice Motorcycle Clubs in Indianapolis. He loved going to drag races and traveling beneath the moon and stars in the night sky, across the country with his fellow club brothers and sisters attending other motorcycle events. 

Lester was a true family man who loved spending time with his children, grandchildren, other family and friends; He looked forward to his children’s visits and relished in their presence; his smile would light up the room when they graced his threshold…the excitement in his heart at all those times were priceless. A die-hard Colts and Pacers fan, win or lose, he and his ride or die Grandson, “Bigman” always shared precious times together, rooting for their favorite teams. 

If you needed something repaired, he would create miracles with his skillful hands. The quintessential handy man often loaned his tools to those who were in need (his children).  However, Lester was never short of words when they were not returned in a timely manner and you never heard the end of it. He was also a VHS/DVD collector; like he was a Blockbuster video rental store, his system was all organized and numbered and in a notebook.  He would require you to sign them out so he would know who to hunt down if you were slow to return. 

They say music and rhythm find their way into the secret places of our soul; it has the power to make us smile and bring us to all types of tears…” Lester enjoyed several genres of music including, Soul, Blues, R&B and a little rap.   His favorite artists, “Nelly”, Sam Cook, The Spinners, Barry White, Platters, Michael Jackson’s Thriller and many more touched your soul as you walked up to his front door. He also liked to watch old black and white western movies, Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy.  Lester was also an excellent cook. Some of his well requested dishes by his children were smothered liver & onions, salmon croquettes, his famous chili and beans & cornbread.  Upon request, Lester was eager to work his “magic” and relished in the satisfaction of his taste testers; tasting the love in every bite.

If you needed a hot meal, a place to sleep, help in the midnight hours, a shoulder to lean on or words of encouragement, Lester was there with an open door, open mind, or time, talent or treasure. Lester carried many titles; son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, Great Grandfather, Great-Great Grandfather, God Father, Uncle, Cousin, Neighbor and Friend.  All these titles reflect the one emotion everyone felt who encountered him...LOVE.

On April 15, 2022 at 9:21am, our Life Director, the Lord said, “Lester, well done good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make you a ruler of many things.” The curtain was drawn and the Director took his star into Heaven’s Grace.

Lester was preceded in death by his Father, Lester Purnell Redd (Callie “Angeline”), Mother, Arletta Bernice Proctor; Paternal Grandparents, Calvin Starks & Louise Level Redd-Tate, Maternal Grandparents, Theo Proctor & Annie M. Hester; Paternal Great Grandmother, Nancy Redd; Maternal Great Grandparents, Thomas Proctor & Mary Frances; Daughter, Judy Ann Webster, and Step-Sister Rita Ann Scott. Uncles, George “John” Proctor, Lee Michael Proctor; Aunts, Irene Levern Proctor, Mary Catherine Ball, Ethel Bell; Great Aunts, Ruth Mayes, Jewel Davis and a special cousin (brother), Carmen Shirley.

He is survived by his wife, Debbie Redd; (4) Children, Philana (Sylvester “Tony”) Dunn, Michael Redd, Joshua Sanders, Ashante Redd; (3) Stepsons, Robert (Katrina), Antonio (Heather) Orkmon and Daniel Thompkins; (26) Grandchildren, Robert “Bigman” Orkmon, Aniyah “Raine”, Amarii “Skai”and Alesondro “AJ” Armstrong, Michael and Juan Degraphenreed, Syncere and Logan Redd, Michaelle Jackson, Abigail “Abby” Lloyd, Joshua Jr., Jeremiah, Dereon, Mckenzie, Milan, Dominic and Sharae Sanders, Crystal Lipscomb, Calvin McKeller, Courtney Webster, Brittany and Paige Thompkins, Cieana, Robert, Deborah, Isaac and Griffin Orkmon; (9) Great Grandchildren; (1) Great-Great Grandchild; Sisters/Brothers in Law, Debra Graham, Rochelle and Gary Weaver, Donita (Charles) Thompkins-Gamble, Robin Thompkins-McQuinn and a host of relatives and many friends.  

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