Lester C. Atwood The Billings Gazette 15 April 2009 Lester "Les" Atwood passed away peacefully the morning of Saturday, April 11, 2009, after a year and a half long battle with cancer. While tired and exhausted with the challenges of the disease, we were blessed that Dad suffered no pain and was able to communicate well and express his love to family and friends. His spirit these last several months reflected his patience and persistence ... even his playfulness and joking as he kidded the nurses and doctors caring for him. Born to Hyrum and Phyllis Atwood on Sept. 24, 1928, in the small coal town community of Sweets, Utah, Les was the son (of Hyrum) and oldest brother of a sister and three brothers (of John Brinley). He lived his early years in Price, Utah, entering the Army in 1945, where he spent time in Germany, eventually coming back to the States to start a career with Frontier Airlines in Wolf Point and Billings in 1954. Dad spent 32 years with Frontier Airlines retiring in 1986. As kids, we understood him to be a "secret agent" ... actually a "station agent" ... but secret agent held more mystery and intrigue for us. Dad's dedication to Frontier was evident though the years as he stayed with the company through various financial trials in the '70s and '80s. An injury forced Dad into early retirement in 1986 but fortunately the injury was recoverable and allowed him good and productive time in his retirement years. Even after being diagnosed with diabetes in the late 1980s, Dad showed persistence and determination in tackling the challenges of the situation and diligently monitored himself and kept himself as healthy as possible. He remained active and playful with his local grandchildren and always looked forward to his distant grandchildren's visits and the time with them. Les married Arlean Jean Bier in 1957 and shared his life with his daughter Kim and sons Terry, Bruce and Scott. As many of his generation did, he led a very stable life ... living in the same home since 1963. During our childhoods, Dad loved to bowl and participated in several leagues. We have fond memories of Dad as a baseball coach, a Cub Scout/Boy Scout leader and as a loving father and grandfather. We can all recall the tap, tap, tap of his leatherworking hammer as he created useful and artistic leatherworking pieces for family and friends. After retiring, he was able to pursue a love of model-railroading with a layout in the garage that he shared with Scouting groups, friends, family and others interested in observing the miniature world he created. Dad enjoyed participating in the genealogy society in Billings ... even briefly holding an office in this group. Dad dabbled in a lapidary hobby ... unfortunately hampered by health in the latter years. Dad had the patience to create some amazing jigsaw puzzles ... many of which are proudly framed in his house and out in his railroading area. He enjoyed reading and even lately pursued this by listening to various books on tape. Les was preceded in death by his father, Hyrum Atwood and mother Phyllis Brinley; and a brother, Jerry Brinley. He is survived by his wife, Arlean of Billings; his daughter, Kim (and Steve) Kramer of Topeka, Kan.; and sons Terry (and Andrea) of Helena, Bruce (and Michelle) of Loveland, Colo. and Scott (and Edna Martin) of Billings. Other survivors include his sister Beverly (and Bill) Routh of Rock Springs, Wyo.; brothers John "Junior" (and Judi) Brinley of Kent, Wash., William "Bill" (and Eva) Brinley of Salt Lake City. Les leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews and grandchildren. Services will be held at Smith Downtown Chapel, 925 S. 27th, at 2 p.m. Friday, April 17, with burial at Sunset Memorial Gardens at approximately 3 p.m. Flowers will be accepted, but donations to the Boy Scouts of America in his name would be greatly appreciated also.