Jess Walker Lancaster

Jess Walker Lancaster was born April 14, 1933 in Pleasant View, Colorado. He passed away peacefully at home in Yuma, Arizona on July 3, 2020 at the age of 87.
Jess was one of twelve children born to Luke and Frances Lancaster, who came to Colorado to homestead in Yellow Jacket in 1920. He served in the U.S. Navy on board the USS Lyman K. Swenson during the Korean War from 1951 to 1955. He shared 54 happy years with his wife Betty who worked alongside him and their son, Sam at their warehouse business in Pleasant View for many years. Jess started Real Lean Pork Producers on his farm in Yellow Jacket, producing pathogen free pork. He later owned and operated Triple Six Storage in Cortez and Wikieup Sun Shades in Wickenburg, Arizona. He was a 55-year member of American Legion Post 75, where he also served as Post Commander for several years. He achieved his thirty-second degree as a Mason and was a member of the Cortez chapter of the Elks. He loved baseball, coaching Little League when his sons were young, and was a member of the Pleasant View Volunteer Fire Department. Jess will be remembered by how hard he worked, his pinto beans and grilled steaks, his dry sense of humor, and his pride in his family. In spite of health issues, he rarely complained and was a kind and gentle soul. He was well-loved and will be greatly missed.
Surviving Jess are his daughters Brenda Gamblin of Council Bluffs, Iowa and Natalie (Tony) Sundermeier of Fort Collins, Colorado, and sons Sam (Ronda) Lancaster of Pleasant View and Doug (Norma) Lancaster of Yuma, Arizona. He leaves behind seven grandchildren: Danielle Cisney of Omaha, Marcus Cisney of Phoenix, Brandan Lancaster (Kelsey) of Durango, Lindsay Murdock (Andy) of Dove Creek, Rachel Maurice (Michael) of Menifee, California, Megan and Trish Trantham of Yuma, Freddy Meza of Yuma, Taylor Sundermeier of London, England and Nate Sundermeier of Denver, plus 11 great grandchildren: Deana and Derek Lancaster, Walker, Chorbin and Gaige Cressler, Heather and Katelyn Maurice, Michael Trantham, and Jade, Julia and Zeke Meza. He is also survived by his brother, Don Lancaster and wife Conni of Redding, California, his friend and companion Lafaye House of Wickenburg, Arizona, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Jess was preceded in death by his wife Betty, grandchildren Derek Sam Lancaster, Sarah Melissa Lancaster and Justin Cody Lancaster, and sisters Cleda Vining, Winona Moss, Leona Beatty, Frances Martinez, and Louise Baer and brothers Tom, Leon, Boyd, Charlie, and Bill Lancaster. His family will gather for a celebration of life and graveside service at the Cortez Cemetery on September 19, when his remains will be laid to rest next to his wife Betty.