Obituaries

Milton Community Mourns Football Coach Who Died From Coronavirus

Fellowship Christian School football coach Tim Lester died Tuesday unexpectedly due to complications of the coronavirus.

Fellowship Christian School football coach Tim Lester died Tuesday unexpectedly due to complications of the coronavirus.
Fellowship Christian School football coach Tim Lester died Tuesday unexpectedly due to complications of the coronavirus. (Shutterstock)

MILTON, GA — The Milton community is in mourning after Fellowship Christian School football coach Tim Lester died Tuesday unexpectedly due to complications of the coronavirus.

The City of Milton announced his death on social media Tuesday, saying Lester, 52, was, "a stalwart leader, inspiring humanitarian as well as beloved coach in his adopted hometown and beyond."

He was a football coach at Fellowship Christian School, where his children also attended, which said he was, "a man whom God had greatly gifted."

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"Tim may have been widely known for his illustrious NFL career, but those blessed to know him personally knew a man whose spiritual gifts far exceeded his athletic abilities," the school said in a release. "Tim was a devoted husband and loving father. He was a man of God who felt called to share his story with young athletes and students. Through his coaching and involvement in the spiritual formation of Fellowship’s students, he used his gifts and not only made an impact for God’s kingdom, but left his mark on all of our hearts. While we deeply mourn Tim’s passing, we rejoice in knowing that he is with his Heavenly Father. We ask that you keep the Lester family, and all who grieve this tremendous loss, in your prayers. May God relieve the weight of your grief, and may He renew your spirits with hope and love."

A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men. (Proverbs 18:16) Today we mourn the loss of Tim...
Posted by Fellowship Christian on Tuesday, January 12, 2021

Lester was a former NFL fullback and special teams standout for the Los Angeles Rams and Pittsburgh Steelers. Lester was picked in the 10th round of the 1992 NFL Draft by the Rams. After three years in California, Lester joined the Steelers.

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While in retirement, Lester kept busy with volunteering, motivational speaking and coaching. After his pro football career ended he eventually settled and made his mark in Milton, the city said.

“I have known Tim for many years and always thought the world of him,” Mayor Joe Lockwood said. “He was sincere and passionate about helping people and making the world a better place, including here in Milton.”

As the middle of seven children in Miami, Lester was the first son in his family to attend college at Eastern Kentucky University, and received a football scholarship.

Lester belonged to the Milton Rotary, and he also was among the hands-on leaders of the Milton Steelers football program, both off-the-field pushing for low-to-no costs for families and on-the-field in coaching young players.

“Tim was an absolutely amazing man,” said Milton Parks and Recreation Manager Tom McKlveen. “He truly cared about positively impacting the kids on and off the field.”

While and even after the Steelers program ended, the city said Lester remained active speaking, leading and in football. He was on to the advisory board of Developmental Football International, at one point coached at Milton High School and became a coach at the Fellowship Christian School. Several of Lester’s children attended that Roswell school.

“As we mourn the passing of this incredible man, we remember the massive impact he made on our community,” Head of School Kathryn Teston said in an email to that school’s community. “…He was dedicated to impacting the lives of athletes and students, encouraging them to live fully for God’s glory alone.”

The City of Milton is greatly saddened to share news of the passing of Tim Lester – a stalwart leader, inspiring...
Posted by City of Milton, Georgia - Government on Tuesday, January 12, 2021


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