Brigadier General Lester Lee McIntyre, USAF (Ret.)'s Obituary
Brigadier General Lester L. McIntyre is Assistant Adjutant General for Air, Texas Air National Guard, and serves as the principal advisor to the Adjutant General on all Air National Guard matters.
General McIntyre was born on 17 April 1934, in Coushatta, Louisiana. He was related to the 3rdWard district of Houston, Texas. He attended Douglas Elementary School and graduated from Jack Yates High School, Houston, Texas 1952. He began his college studies at Tuskegee Institute, Alabama and after 2 years he transferred to Howard University. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Military Education from Howard University, Washington, D.C. in 1957. His military education includes Squadron Officers School, 1967; Air Command and Staff College, 1973; and Industrial College of the Armed Forces, 1975.
General McIntyre was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in June 1957 after graduating from Reserve Officer Training Corps at Howard University. In October he entered the Air Force and was assigned to the undergraduate pilot training at Moore Air Base, Mission, Texas. He entered active duty in October 1957. After serving an overseas tour in Asia as an Administrative Officer he completed the Supply Officer Course and was assigned to the 414th Fighter Group, Oxnard Air Force Base, California, as Unit Supply Officer and Maintenance Control Officer. In September 1963 he was assigned to the 405thMunitions Maintenance Squadron, Clark Air Force Base, Philippines, and placed in charge of the munitions supply account which supported operations in Southeast Asia and Vietnam. He returned to the United States in January 1966 and was assigned to the 436th Supply Squadron, Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, as OIC of the Supplies Management Branch. In October 1968 he separated from active military service. He continued his military career with the 922nd Supply Squadron (AFRES), Kelly Air Force Base, Texas, as Defense Supply Operations Officer. In August 1971 he was assigned as Defense Supply Agency Supply Officer with duty at Headquarters Command USAF, Fort Meyer, Virginia.
General McIntyre was appointed as Administrative Officer in the 136th Combat Support Squadron, Texas Air National Guard, on 11 April 1972. He later transferred to the 136th Supply Squadron as the Supply Operations Officer. In July 1973 he was the Social Actions Officer and assigned to the 136th Combat Support Group. On 1 June 1978 he was selected to be the Commander of the newly authorized 136th Mobile Aerial Port Squadron. In June 1984 he was assigned as the Director of Resources, Headquarters Texas Air National Guard. General McIntyre was appointed Assistant Adjutant General for Air on 15th December 1989 by then Governor Ann Richards and later reappointed by Governor George Bush. General McIntyre was stationed at Camp Mabry in Austin, TX during his appointment.
General McIntyre’s decorations and awards include the Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Air Force Overseas Ribbon (Long Tour), Air Force Longevity Service Medal with 7 Oak Leaf Clusters, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 2 Hour Glass Devices, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Air Force Training Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal, Texas Outstanding Service Medal, Governor’s Unit Citation, and Texas Faithful Service Medal with 2 Cactus Leaf Clusters.
In civilian life General McIntyre was the Chief of Utilization and Donation for General Services Administration (GSA), Fort Worth Regional Office. He was recognized by GSA as having the best managed productive utilization office in the country for three consecutive years.
General McIntyre’s civic affiliations include the National Guard Associations of the United States and Texas, Air Force Association, Howard University Alumni Association, and Lambda Chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated in 1969. He is also active in church activities at the New Mount Zion Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas.
General McIntyre was promoted effective 3 August 1990 with same date of rank. After serving in a military career that expands in an excess of 30 years total, he retired from military service 30 June 1995.
Upon his retirement, General McIntyre and his wife moved back to Dallas, TX where they built their dream home in Richardson, TX. This is where they stayed for 18 years until moving to Arlington, TX. General McIntyre began working with the Texas Veterans Land Board for many years where he traveled the state promoting and providing consultative services for fellow veterans. Despite his busy schedule, General McIntyre made time to travel with his wife Cordelia McIntyre visiting places like China and partaking in various cruises.
Despite his age and ongoing battle with Parkinsons, General McIntyre before his sudden death never slowed down. He enjoyed the daily puzzles in the Dallas Morning News, banter with his son-in-law about the Cowboys versus his sons-in-law’s team, Green Bay Packers, watching his favorite television shows, having a little “nip” with his grandson Reggie Jr. (“Pooh”), listening to jazz and classical music, keeping up with current news and events, and trips to the commissary in Fort Worth, TX. General McIntyre also enjoyed purchasing property. These last few years he has built and purchased several homes and lived comfortably with his daughter, Deidra, son-in-law Mark, granddaughter Alexandra (“Bump”) and grandson Donovan (“Snoop”). He was able to witness Alexandra’s membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and graduation from Texas Tech University in May 2023, Donovan’s membership in General McIntyre’s fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the achievement of a full ROTC scholarship and Donovan’s swearing into the US Army at Texas Tech University ROTC.
General McIntyre transitioned from earth to Heaven on December 1, 2023. He was preceded in death by his wife, Cordelia Ewing McIntyre in March 2018, his sister, Merci D Goffney in October 2023 and his parents Ernest Lee and Creasie Shivers McIntyre.
General McIntyre’s (“Daddy/PawPaw”) memory will live forever in the hearts survived by his three children, Anthony McIntyre of Dallas, TX, Reginald McIntyre of Dallas, TX, and Deidra McIntyre Johnson (Mark) of Colleyville, TX. General McIntyre has three grandchildren, Reginald McIntyre, Jr (“Pooh”), Alexandra Clemon (“Bump”), and Donovan Clemon (“Snoop”). His niece Judith Neely of Washington DC and nephew Timothy Edward Neely of Florida. His brother-in-law, John A. Goffney; nephews Bruce Goffney (Denise), John A. Goffney, Jr. (“BoBo”), nieces June Clark (David-deceased), Jocelyn Goffney, Stephanie Thompson (Donald) all of Houston, TX. And a host of great nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Family will receive friends between 5:00-8:00PM at Restland Funeral Home on Sunday, December 17, 2023.
Funeral services will take place at 12:00 Noon on Monday, December 18, 2023, in the Wildwood Chapel at Restland Funeral Home. Interment with full military honors will occur at 2:30PM at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.
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