We are sad to announce the passing of Lester Leo Wooten (Buster) at 92, just a few months shy of his 93rd birthday. Our Dad was born in Cove City, NC on March 6, 1932. He left home and tobacco farming to join the military in 1950 for travel and adventure in the Air Force. He fought in Korea and later decided to join the Army for even more excitement. He met the love of his life, Brigitte, in 1964, and they traveled often to Europe to see her family. He volunteered for Vietnam in 1966, and once he had all his children, that was finally enough excitement for him. Two foreign wars and three children later in 1971, he retired and settled in Columbus, Georgia. Again, he transformed himself attending University of Nebraska and then working in financial services for 24 years. He retired with Columbus Bank and Trust, currently Synovus. He was loved by all who served with him, all who worked with him and basically all who knew him for his easy manner and good natured comedy. Dad jokes and teasing children and grandchildren were always among his favorite pastimes. In retirement, he hiked most of the Appalachian Trail all the way to New York and joined by his wife, he even summited Mt. Katahdin in Maine to finish with the end of trail. He was an avid outdoorsman to the very end and even grew the tallest sunflower at his retirement home, Vitality Living Milton. St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Alpharetta became his spiritual home after 50 years living in Columbus, Georgia and attending Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church.

He passed peacefully with his family around him on Monday, December 16th.

Lester is survived by his loving wife, Brigitte, brother Roger (Deloris) and his sister-in-law Nancy. His children Anne (Eric), Rudi (Margaret) and Billy (Coleen) and his grandchildren Hannah, Amanda (Will), Lily, Jessica and Nicholas.

He was preceded in death by his parents Lester and Edna Wooten, his brothers Jesse Lee and Aubrey Wooten, sisters Margaret Baxter and Judy Martin, as well as his infant daughter Mary Anne Wooten.

The celebration of his life will be held on Friday, December 20th at 10:00 am at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church on 535 Rucker Road, Alpharetta GA 30004. Due to the holidays, there will not be a reception to follow. He will be interned in Ft. Moore Military Cemetery in Ft. Moore Georgia at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, our avid Appalachian Trail hiker would love a donation to the Trail athttps://connect.clickandpledge.com/w/Form/2c15b8d1-015d-4c23-a18c-75b821c3466e?638690094551527120