Elliott

Lester G. Elliott Jr., 93, of Renfrew, passed away at his residence on Tuesday, May 16, 2023.

He was born May 20, 1929, to Effie and Lester G. Elliott Sr. in the small town of Chicora, a place that was near and dear to his heart.

A child during the Great Depression, he relied on the love of his siblings, a great imagination and a strong determination to succeed, regardless of the challenge.

In 1945, Lester and his brother, Dyke, decided to build their own mobile camper. After a few failed attempts, they set out on the open road to New Mexico in search of their Uncle Jim, who worked as a prospector in the gold mines. It was this adventure that triggered his passion for the Wild West and provided a long list of stories that his family and friends enjoyed hearing.

Lester developed a love of horses at a young age. Some may even refer to him as a cowboy. He grew up on farms, working with teams of horses. His first horse, Doc, was a pit pony rescued from the coal mines. In 1976, he ventured out with his son, Lester III, in a covered wagon, driving a team across Pennsylvania in celebration of the U.S. Bicentennial. In 1989, he saddled up for the Montana Centennial Cattle Drive, and at the age of 82, in 2011, one of his greatest accomplishments was the Wyatt Earp Ride in Tombstone, Ariz.

Lester’s wife, Antoinette “Toni,” shares his love of horses. They enjoyed over 50 years of marriage, and together they traveled the U.S. and Canada, competing in and winning many horse shows. He still has horses today at his family farm.

In 1945, at the age of 16, Lester took a job as a tire man with Wayne Heist, his mentor. When the store was bought out by an independent dealer, Lester stepped into the role of manager. This was just the beginning of his career in the tire industry. In 1959, he borrowed five thousand dollars to start his own business, Elliott’s Tire Service Inc., which originated in three garage stalls in Butler. When that property was acquired for an urban renewal project in 1967, Lester purchased the company’s present East Cunningham Street site, on which at that time sat two run-down houses. In 1962, he obtained his Bandag retreading franchise, one of the first in the United States. He recently celebrated over 60 years in business with Bandag Retreading. He and his son, Lester III, worked together every day until the end of March 2023.

Lester’s motto was always “Customer Service Comes First,” a slogan he lived by and one that contributed to his success. His presence will be missed by longtime customers and employees.

He was a member of the Western PA Tire Dealers Association. In addition, he was a proud supporter of the Butler Farm Show. He was also a longtime member of the Butler Country Club, where he celebrated many milestones and family dinners.

Lester leaves behind to cherish his memory his loving and devoted wife, Antoinette C. “Toni” DeRose Elliott, and his favorite dog, Jingles; a daughter, Deborah Elliott, and her two children, Jason and Erika; and a son, Lester G. Elliott III, and his wife, April, and their two daughters, Ava and Ivy. In all, he leaves behind six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four siblings; and one son, Rodger Elliott.

ELLIOTT — Funeral services and burial were conducted privately for Lester G. Elliott Jr., who died Tuesday, May 16, 2023.

Arrangements were entrusted to the care of MARTIN FUNERAL HOME, 429 Center Ave., Butler.

For more information, please visit www.martinfh.net.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.