Obituary: Zornes, Lester L.
Corporal (USAAF)
October 24, 1924 - March 22, 1944
Beloved son, brother, uncle, cousin and friend Lester LaVerne Zornes passed away during WWII when his troop transport plane crashed while attempting an emergency landing in Bathurst, Gambia, West Africa.
His remains were placed in the North Africa American Cemetery at Carthage, Tunisia.
“Verne” was born in Spokane, attended Irving School, and graduated from Lewis & Clark H.S.
in June 1942.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1943, and was assigned to the 306th Troop Carrier Squadron of the 442nd Troop Carrier Group.
He fulfilled his dreams of flying and being a radio operator.
Verne is survived today by sister Lois LaSalle (Spokane), brother Richard Zornes (Kirkland), and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins - most of whom he never met.
Since he passed, so have his father and mother, Lester Ortis and Minnie Blaine Zornes; and sisters, Naomi Spiess, Helena Sloan, Katherine Walters and Marjorie Bradbury.
On Saturday, March 22, 2014, following a brief family celebration of his life, the U.S. Air Force and Washington Army National Guard Honor Guards will conduct a Joint Service Honor Guard at 1:30 pm, Fairmount Memorial Park, 5200 W. Wellesley Ave, Spokane, to honor his service and ultimate sacrifice while serving his country.