Lester F Potter

Lester "Les" Potter, 90, of Loudon, departed this earthly life on July 11, 2019, at Merrimack County Nursing Home, surrounded by his loving family, after a long battle with Alzheimer's. He was born in Boston on May 17, 1929 and was raised in Gilmanton Iron Works on Potter Farms by his parents Samuel E. Potter and Julia Smith-Potter, until they moved to Pittsfield when he was 16, where he graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1946.

He served in the US Army from 1949 to 1952, and served in the Korean War, in the 73rd Engineering Heavy Equipment Co. His discharged information was thought to be lost in a fire at the Virginia Hall of Records, but were finally retrieved after many years, and he was awarded various service medals on his 85th birthday including his Bronze Star.

Lester married Alberta Staples, of New Durham, on April 13, 1952, and had 3 daughters they raised in Loudon, NH.

He got the most enjoyment singing or telling one of his famous stories, but above all else, he cherished the time he spent with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. One of the most famous stories was when he started driving the family tractor at 8 years old. He was passionate about cars and trucks and could name any make or model as they drove by. He was a commercial construction truck driver for most of his career, including hauling out much of the ledge and gravel to build I-93N.

In his 30's, Les was led to the Lord under the leadership of Pastor Sherm Stevens of the Evangelical Baptist Fellowship in Gilmanton Iron Works and served as a Deacon there for many years. He enjoyed serving and helping anyone in need. He had a beautiful voice and shared his love of singing Country and Gospel music along with playing his Gibson guitars, and will be forever remembered for singing "On the Wings of a Snow White Dove".

Lester is predeceased by his wife of 57 years, Alberta (Staples) Potter, his daughter Jeannie Potter, his sister Betty Laskey, and brother Carl Potter.

He is survived by his daughters and their husbands, Theresa and Charles Storey of E. Waterboro, ME, and Darlene and Steve Pike of Penacook, NH. He was lovingly referred to as "Bumps" by his 4 grandchildren who were the apple of his eye, Seth Storey, Josh (Erika) Storey, Hannah (Matt) Leach, and Lexi Potter; 8 great-grandchildren, Jillian, Makayla, Jacob, Elijah, Nathaniel, Alyssa Storey, Gabbi and Jace Leach; his brother-in-law Charles Staples Jr., and sister in law Thelma Staples both of Farmington, and several nieces and nephews.

Cremation Society of New Hampshire is assisting the family with arrangements. A memorial service will begin at 10:00 a.m., Saturday July 20, 2019, at Park Street Baptist Church, 11 Park Street, Pittsfield, NH; reception and light refreshments will follow. Les will be interred with Military Honors at 12:30 p.m. at Floral Park Cemetery, Pittsfield, NH.