Martin Lee Lester, 74, of Traverse City, formerly of Lansing, Michigan, passed away peacefully on November 13, 2024, at Grand Traverse Pavilions, following a long battle with Parkinson's disease.
Marty was born on June 6, 1950, in Port Huron, Michigan, to the late Hubert and Margaret (Sickles) Lester. After high school, he attended Central Michigan University on an athletic scholarship to play baseball, where he earned a bachelor's degree in education.

In 1977, Marty pulled up to Ferro for a job interview in a Chevy Vega, where he met Linda who would become the love of his life. Just six months later, they were so sure of their love that they eloped to Las Vegas to marry, beginning a devoted partnership that spanned nearly five decades. Together, they lovingly raised their two daughters, Heather and Sarah.

Marty dedicated over 43 years to his work for Ferro and Schulman Corp. where he sold marine paints and gel coat fibers, a career that allowed him to travel the world, visiting places like China, Italy, Mexico, and beyond. Despite the demands of his job, he remained a deeply committed husband and father, always eager to come home after a week of travel to spend quality time with his family. Whether at the family's cherished lake house or in gyms or pools cheering on Sarah, Marty was steadfastly present, making his wife, daughters, and extended family his greatest priority.

Known for his warmth and kindness, Marty made everyone feel welcome, his home a beloved gathering place where friends and family could relax and enjoy one another's company. With a quiet smile and infectious laugh, he loved to sit back and watch life unfold around him, always giving of himself for the happiness of others. There was literally nothing that Marty wouldn't do for his wife or two daughters, they were the center of his world. A dedicated Spartan fan, he proudly wore his favorite Spartan hat and cheered for his team in football, baseball, hockey, and basketball.

Marty will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his wife, Linda; his daughters, Heather Daggett, and Sarah (John) Leonard; grandchildren, Scott, Morgan, Savannah, Noah, Cody, Alexis, Tyler, and Carter, his sister Marilyn Kellough, and many friends and family who were blessed to know him.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his beloved grandson Bobby, and his brother-in-law Gene Kellough.

Visitation will be held at Palmer, Bush & Jensen Family Funeral Homes Delta Chapel, 6301 W. St. Joe Hwy. Lansing, MI 48917, on Saturday, December 7 from 12:00pm-2:00pm with the Memorial Service beginning at 2:00pm. Memorial Contributions may be directed to the Michael J. Fox Foundation.

Please visit https://tribute.michaeljfox.org/tribute-page.php?id=3018 to view his online tribute page.

Marty's family is being cared for by both the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and the Palmer, Bush & Jensen Family Funeral Home.