Captain Lester Eugene Mashburn USMC, Retired Obituary (1935 - 2022)

USMC Captain Lester Eugene Mashburn, 87, formerly of St. Helena Island, South Carolina, died peacefully on Tuesday, June 7, 2022 at Hillcrest Raleigh in Raleigh, North Carolina. Les was born on January 23, 1935 in Balfour, North Carolina, the son of Kenneth H. Mashburn and Nora Evelyn Edwards. He grew up in Bryson City, North Carolina. When he was just 17, he joined the Marine Corps. Over his 20 years of service, he went to Vietnam twice and was stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; Arlington, Virginia; and Parris Island, South Carolina. He retired honorably from the USMC as a Captain in 1972. In the late 1970s, he moved to St. Helena Island, South Carolina with Judith Gay Amrose, whom he married. Les and Judy established a boat trailer business, Mashburn's Boat Trailer Sales and Service, which they successfully operated together until Judy's passing in 2016. Les enjoyed hunting and fishing, watching football with Judy, Country music, and a good steak. He also treasured the dogs and cats he and Judy had over the years. Most of all, however, he loved to read, especially mysteries and Westerns, and feeding and watching birds. Les is survived by children Dianna Wynne Downey and husband Bill; Kenneth Woodrow Mashburn and wife Rachael; Keith Eugene Mashburn and wife Wendy; Michael Loderstedt and wife Lori; Susan Loderstedt; Thomas Loderstedt and wife Tami, 13 grandchildren, and one great grandchild. In addition to wife Judy, his sisters, Norma Jean Biddix and Dorothy Mashburn, and his first wife, Lois Marie Norris, predeceased him. The family will receive friends Thursday, June 16, 2022, from 12:30 until 1:10 at Anderson Funeral Home, to be followed by Masonic rites. A graveside service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. at Beaufort National Cemetery with full Military Honors.