James "Slats" Van Lester Jr.

James "Slats" Van Lester Jr., 68, of Noel, Mo., passed away on Friday, Dec. 16, 2016 at Freeman Neosho Hospital in Neosho, Mo., from results of an automobile accident. He was born on Nov. 24, 1948 in Nuremberg, Germany, to the late Lt. Col. James Van Lester Sr. and Christine (Brock) Lester. He married Jody Van Houten Beckett on June 5, 2004. He was raised an army brat and traveled and lived in multiple cities, Rogers, Ark., was considered his home. Slats graduated from the Rogers High School in 1968. In his youth he worked for a fence company and later as an Auto parts Store Manager until 2006. Slats enjoyed fish camp, deer camp, food and driving his doggie Upton around. He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents, EE and Roberta Brock Willer. Slats is survived by his wife, Jody Lester of the home; his two sisters, Laurie Kay Garvey and husband, John of Noel, Missouri, Sue Ellen Critz and husband, Ward of Killeen, Texas; a grandson, Darren Beckett Shanks; a great-grandson, Kanaan Lee Shanks; two nephews; four nieces and several great-nieces and nephews; several great-great-nieces and nephews; his beloved dogs, Upton and Punkie; as well as a host of other family and friends who will dearly miss Slats. Celebration of Slats life will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017 at the River Ranch Rendezvous room in Noel, Mo. Pastor Marilyn O'Brien will officiate. Memorial contributions may be given to the Noel Animal Shelter in care of the funeral home. On-line condolences may be sent to the family through our website www.ozarkfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of the Ozark Funeral Home in Anderson, Mo.