Bus mechanic who never let them down - Ken Lester

Whenever celebrities’ tour buses broke down, they called Ken Lester.
They knew he would leave Lexington to rescue them wherever they were and make their buses run again.
Due to this, Lester became a celebrity himself in the bus repair business.
Ken’s Repair Service had locations in Red Bank and West Columbia but much of his work was on the road.
Rich Parr, a Christian musician who lives in Lexington and Nashville, described his friend as “the most humble, lovable man who ran the No. 1 bus repair service in the state.”
Kenneth Russell Lester, 63, passed away Saturday, July 21, after a 7-month battle with cancer.
His funeral was Tuesday at Barr Price Funeral Home in Lexington followed by a procession of more than 27 buses down SC6 to Oaklawn Cemetery in Pelion where he was buried beside his late wife’s grave.
He was born November 25, 1954, in Grundy, VA, a son of the late Burb Lester and Spicy Keen Lester.
He had operated his business in Lexington since 1997. Before that he worked for Capitol Tours 14 years, was a bluegrass music and Dale Earnhardt fan.
Survivors include his son Jerry (Robina) Caulder; daughters Stephanie (Ashley) Brady, Dawn (Allen) Spell, April Gunter; grandchildren Taylor, Robert, Cheyenne, Courtney, Michaella, Josh, Jakob, Maria, Zoe, and Daniel; 3 great grandchildren; brothers Vaughn (Sue), Jennings (Barbara), and Otis Lester. He had lost his wife of 20 years, Tamra Lester, a brother Jerry Lester and a sister Geneva Matney.
His son Jerry Caulder, who worked with him 30 years, said he would take over his dad’s business.
He remembered him as a man who spent most of his waking hours, 7 days a week, working at his shop.
He said he went with his father on emergency trips to repair buses where he met many country music stars and other celebrities.
“He left a lot of memories,” he said.