Have you ever met a guy that everyone enjoys being around? When there is a person that doesn’t like him, you know it has to be their issue because he’s just so lovable. The guy’s siblings look up to him as the hero of the family? The man that men want to have a beer with, and the ladies want to date? This guy was the center of attention because he told funny stories and humorous jokes? He had an infectious laugh and was kind of a ‘Jack of all trades?” Who was smart, witty, hard-working, and persistent despite the hurdles this world threw at him? A great friend and confidant?

Well…that was my dad. Jay Francis Charles Lessert, Jr. was born in Ponca City, Oklahoma on September 13, 1948. He was the son of Jay Francis Charles Lessert, Sr., and Jerri (Hogan) Lessert. He passed away on January 22, 2023, in San Antonio, TX. Although his birth certificate was listed as ‘Jay’, he was known to all his family and friends as ‘Chuck.’ Let me tell you a little bit about him.

Chuck was a proud tribal member of the Osage-Kaw Indian tribe. In his younger years, his family lived in several places throughout Texas and would eventually return to his birthplace in Oklahoma. At a young age, he was self-sufficient, reliable, and always looked for ways to have fun wherever he went. During high school he met the love of his life (Vicki Lenn Colberg) the way that most couples of his generation met in Ponca City in the 60s…by dragging Grand on the weekends. It was a real life, “American Graffiti” story!

While attending Po-Hi, Chuck pursued athletics, but his real passion was music. He was the lead guitarist and singer of a band called “The Druids”. His bandmates included his buddies Phil Powell, Terry Clower, Lynn Moore, and Lee Ellenwood. Though he had the looks and musical talent, the likes of Buddy Holly, his favorite song to play during those band years was La Bamba by Richie Valens. While in high school he tackled one of his first big accomplishments: building the first car he ever owned himself with his own money. He, of course, accomplished this feet to ‘drag Grand.’

After graduating Po-Hi in 1965, he attended Oklahoma State University (OSU) to pursue a degree in business. On January 28, 1966, he and Vicki got married and she joined him at OSU. Eventually his firstborn (Jay III) would enter the picture. Becoming a father changed his focus from being a student and pursuing music, to providing for his family. This would lead him to his first ‘adult’ job… working as a manager for the restaurant chain Sirloin Stockade. During this time, he traveled throughout the states of Oklahoma and Kansas opening restaurants for the chain.

Though time was limited, he continued to pursue music as a songwriter. Inspired by his love for Vicki, Chuck wrote a song for her that she could hear played for millions of ‘lovebirds’ across the U.S. She encouraged to pitch this song to an agent who loved this song. The song would eventually reach # 1 on the Billboard Easy Listening charts in 1971, but Chuck would never receive the accolades of that song’s success. No one (but his wife Vicki) ever knew that he wrote a song enjoyed by millions.

Despite this “punch in the gut” type of life experience, Chuck would go on to find success in several different jobs that provided for his family. His career included time working for an insurance company named ‘Avco’, working as a manager at the Marland Mansion, and eventually as an Oil Technician in the research and development department at Conoco oil and gas.

Sports were an important part of Chuck’s life. He loved to watch football, basketball, baseball, wrestling, golf, and tennis. His favorite sports to play were racquetball and tennis. He would play tennis frequently with his wife, Vicki, his son, Keith, and some of his closest friends but would also play racquetball with his son, Jay, and some of his closest friends as well. Tennis allowed him to exercise, enjoy the outdoors, and have community with other Ponca citizens. Racquetball would allow him some quality time with people. Though his house was divided, he loved watching both the OSU Cowboys and Oklahoma Sooners. He especially loved going to live OSU Cowboys baseball games with his family. One of his most memorable live college sporting event experiences was watching the legendary Barry Sanders running wild against the Oklahoma Sooners back in 1988. He also became interested in motor cross racing when his son, Jay, participated in the sport. His sports involvement didn’t end at the bleachers. He loved coaching little league baseball and basketball when his sons played in the leagues. As a very hands-on dad, he would spend many hours helping his son improve his baseball hitting by throwing many, many balls for batting practice after coming home from a long day of work.

But, the greatest accomplishment in his life was giving his life to serve God. He became a follower of Jesus Christ in the mid-80s which would change his life for the better. Through his faith, he learned how to become a better husband, dad, uncle, friend, and colleague. He used his musical talents to become a choir director for the ‘First Church of God’ and later for 2nd Baptist Church. He and Vicki also attended St. Luke’s of the Nazarene and First Baptist Church. Chuck joined a North Central Oklahoma Southern Gospel group called ‘Forgiven’ where he forged lifelong friendships with his coral mates Mark Brown (Blackwell, OK), Larry East (formerly of Ponca City, now lives in Bartlesville, OK), and Bill Hadley (formerly of Ponca City). His time with Forgiven gave him great fulfillment.

In 2004, God uprooted Chuck and Vicki to move to Nashville, TN to be close to their children and grandchildren. Chuck made many friends in Nashville from Long Hollow Baptist Church in Hendersonville, TN where he served as a Deacon and a member of the choir. He also became a Tennessee Titans fan and began to follow Nashville Predators hockey.

In 2020, it was time to slow down a little and give up the responsibilities of their one acre home in Tennessee. Chuck and Vicki made a decision to move to San Antonio, TX, where their son, Keith, was living. Though they had a smaller yard, they stayed busy gardening, bird watching, and landscaping the yard. Even in his early 70s, he could still outwork both his son and grandson.

Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, Jeri and Jay Francis Charles Lessert, Sr., brother Robert Lessert, nephew Scott Taylor, mothers-in-law Virginia Bowen and Linda Colberg, fathers-in-law Bob Bowen and Jack Colberg, sisters-inlaw Debbie Richardson and Kathy Northcutt, and brotherin- law Eddie Northcutt. He is survived by his wife Vicki Lenn (Colberg) Lessert, his two sons Jay (Deana) Lessert III, and Keith (Elizabeth) Lessert, his grandchildren Eric Neal, Hunter Tudor, Garrett Lessert, and Lydia Lessert, his sister Connie (Rick) Davis, his brother-in-law Ron (Carolyn) Colberg, brother-in-law Jackie Colberg; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Looking back, when I hear people talk about ‘Chuck’, I’ll be reminded that he was a….

• Son

• Brother

• Husband

• Dad

• Grandpa

• Uncle

• Singer / Song Writer / Musician / Recording Artist / Church Choir Director

• Sports Enthusiasts

• Coach (sports & life)

• Friend

• Fair

• Honest, helpful, selfless, loving Jesus Freak The funeral service for Jay Francis Charles Lessert, Jr. will be held on Friday – January 27, 2023 - 11:00 am at Porter Loring Mortuary West Chapel - 1710 W Loop 1604 N, San Antonio, TX 78251. Live streaming will be available through the Porter Loring Mortuary West website: https://www.porterloring.com/ The family asks for no flowers to be given but to offer donations to the Children’s Hunger Fund based in San Antonio, TX. https://childrenshungerfund.

org/give/

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