"He died just short of his 87th birthday and it seems strange to think of him as an infant, a bud of promise, but he was a bud of promise to Claude and Ermina Bronson when he was born, April 6, 1893, their first son. Lester Wildermuth Bronson was born in Aurora, Illinois, and moved with his family to Eldorado Springs, Missouri where he spent happy boyhood days with and older sister, two younger sisters, and three younger brothers.

"His heritage in the Restoration came from both sides of his family. He responded eagerly, being baptized at eight years and ordained at an early age. He was an Elder at 21 and considered it an opportunity to serve in the church which had nurtured him and in the faith which was to sustain him throughout life.

"He served as a self-sustaining missionary in isolated areas of Montana and the Dakotas and while evangelizing he met and baptized the young school teacher he would later marry. Lester and Gladys Irene Randolph were joined in marriage June 19, 1918 and in due time were blessed by the birth of Cecil Lester.

"They continued westward, living for a while in Idaho and then in Washington where daughter Clara Alyce and son Tharel Wayne added to their happiness. Baby Tharel was soon given back to his heavenly father. Through those years Lester and Gladys continued to minister to many and their family was supported by love in return. Then a second daughter was born, Iryce Irene.

"The cause of Zion was always uppermost in Lester's mind and that meant returning to the land of Missouri. In the spring of 1934 Lester and Cecil put the finishing yellow stripe on an almost new Chevrolet (with wire wheels). They hooked up a matching utility trailer and headed for Southern Missouri. He saw it as a field, white, already to harvest and thrust in his sickle. Before long, however, Gladys' health began to weaken and this became cause for concern both for her and the child she carried, Theron Randolph. Through fragile at birth Rande was to grow to manhood and his ordination to the Melchisedec Priesthood brought a deep sense of fulfillment to his father.

"Lester was a master carpenter. During World War II he was employed in building military bases in Missouri and eventually at Olathe, Kansas. Once again he became pastor of a small struggling congregation at Grandview, Missouri. He and Gladys served there for many years, seven as pastor.

"With Gladys failing in health the two of them moved to Independence in retirement. Here, their nurse daughter, Iryce, trained at the San, was available to help. By 1966 the family begun in 1918 had expanded to include 11 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. At present count (1980) their offspring number 12 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. January 24, 1966 was a sad day because it was the day Gladys died, but it was a time of release from her pain, and a time for being grateful for a good wife and loving companion.

"Life was lonely but before long a well-founded friendship matured into love and Gertrude Wise Winship joined Lester in marriage. Consider the mathematics of that union, adding Gertrude's 16 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild to the multitude of Bronson offspring! Lester was wealthy indeed, in the ways it counts most.

"Eventually, the pleasant twilight years began to be marred by illness. With Gertrude's loving attention he could endure the pain and discomfort but he was restless with inactivity. It was so different from the years of devoted service.

"One of his daughters, speaking for all the family has written: "Lester - Dad - Daddy - Granddad - we your progeny, by birth and by affection, pay our homage and respect with love and thanksgiving to you and through you to our Heavenly Father for the gift of your life--just two weeks short of 87 years. And, we remember how grateful and proud you were to share your birthday, April 6, with the most enduring love of your life, The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints."