KYLLO, Lester Edgar

Big Bug News, Mayer, Arizona November 09, 2011 Lester Edgar Kyllo, 92, passed peacefully on Sept. 23, 2011. Lester and his wife, Virginia, developed the community of Spring Valley in the late 1960s and resided in the area for 35 years. Lester was born on a homestead in Big Sandy, Mont. on Nov. 29, 1918. He graduated from Clifford-Galesburg High School in North Dakota in 1938. After high school, Lester got a job as a traveling magazine salesman. This job led him to Indianapolis in 1940, where he met Virginia, and they married there one year later. Lester worked for General Motors in Indianapolis until he volunteered for the U.S. Air Force in 1943. After his service, he attended North Dakota State University and then transferred to Colorado State University. In 1950, he attained his Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural Education, and taught vocational agriculture and was an FFA advisor in North Dakota, Minnesota and Montana. Lester was a very gifted and respected teacher; education was his calling. In 1963, Lester and his family moved to Scottsdale where he taught Industrial Arts and attended Arizona State University. There, he earned his Master's degree in Guidance and Counseling. Upon completion of his Master's, Lester taught Gerontology at ASU and also completed course work in Adult Education for his Doctorate. As an accomplished carpenter, Lester valued the countless hours he spent developing and constructing the community of Spring Valley. In his free time, Lester enjoyed tending to his garden and orchards. Lester also raised Arabian show horses on his property in Spring Valley. After many successful years of breeding and showing champion Arabian horses, Lester and Virginia retired in Laguna Woods, Calif. Their home in Spring Valley is now The Spring Ridge Academy for Girls. Lester was a devoted husband and father. He is survived by his wife of more than 70 years, Virginia of Pauma Valley, Calif.; son, Tim Kyllo (Mary) of Sedona; daughter, Joanne Clarey (Fred) of Pauma Valley, Calif.; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. The Spring Valley Community Church was the original Spring Valley Club House, which Lester built in 1973. Lester's memorial service will take place there on Nov. 25, 2011, at 2 p.m. Information provided by survivors.