Ed Lesser

Graveside Service: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, Texas.

Daniel Edward Lesser was born in Jamestown, NY, to Burton W. and Florence Christensen Lesser. He was a graduate of Jamestown High School, Grove City College, Grove City, PA and Suffolk University, Boston, MA.

In 1962, after completing Air Force Officer’s Training School, he was commissioned a 2nd LT and served four years as a radar controller of F-102 and F-104 fighter jets. Four months prior to his honorable discharge, Ed was promoted to captain.

From 1967-1973, Ed was a supervisor of airport passenger services and reservations with American Airlines in New York and Boston. It was in Boston that he met and married his best friend and true love, Ann Reilly.

After leaving American Airlines in 1973, Ed was a partner in a furniture restoration business in Cambridge, MA. He worked in the business for ten years until an opportunity in 1983 for he and Ann to relocate to Texas.

Ed worked at the United Way of Tarrant County for twenty years in volunteer recruitment, marketing /communications, planning, and execution of special projects and events. He retired in 2003.

In retirement, Ed was involved in several community activities: a coach in the Arlington Miracle Baseball League for physically and mentally disabled boys and girls; tour guide at the Texas Rangers Ballpark; standardized patient for nursing students at University of Texas Arlington; a supernumerary in several Fort Worth Opera productions; and a certified member of the Arlington Community Emergency Response team.

Ed and Ann enjoyed extensive travel during their marriage: the Middle East, Europe, South America, China, Fiji, Easter Island, as well as several points throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

In addition to Ann, his devoted wife of 54 years, Ed is survived by his sister, Marie Lindahl of Jamestown, NY; nieces, Kristine Brombacher (Kevin) of Jamestown, NY, and Suzanne Lindahl (Marleen Lehman) of Greene, OH; nephew, John Lindahl (Heather) of Youngstown, NY; brother-in-law, Michael Pisani of Salem, MA; and favorite cat, Bubba.

In addition to his parents, Ed was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, David Lindahl, and sister-in-law, Maryellen Pisana.

Memorials may be made to the Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County, a local animal shelter, or a charity of choice.