Lester Allen Portrey, 75, son of Frank R. and Clellian Bishop Portrey, was born July 17, 1928, at Las Animas, Colo. He died Feb. 29, 2004, at his home near Houston following several months of illness. In 1945, the family moved from Colorado to a farm near Cabool. In 1950, they moved to a farm near Houston. Mr. Portrey started a garage and wrecker service in the 1950s and served many towns and states. No job was too large or small for him to help someone. He retired in 1992 but built a shop at his home, where he made a car hauler. He enjoyed the miles he drove and helping friends and neighbors with their vehicles. His favorite pastime was sitting in the coffee shop at the “”table of knowledge”” drinking coffee and sharing stories with his friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Lois; and two stepsons, Jim and Don Taylor. Surviving are his wife, Virginia Gunn Kelly, who he married June 28, 1974; one daughter, Beverly Jones of Houston; two stepdaughters, Betty Wyatt of Mountain Grove and Linda Garrett of Houston; three sisters, DeElda Lipscomb of Houston, Lois Nelson of Brighton and Isabel Hess of St. Charles; 15 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. Services were March 3 at the Evans Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Ed Hamilton and Jeff Moore officiating. Burial was in the Pine Lawn Cemetery. “
