Lester George Bushmann Jr.

Lester George Bushmann Jr., 83, of Jefferson City, died of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) on Wednesday, February 12, 2020, at his home, surrounded by his family. The son of Lester George and Alice Ward Bushmann, Les was born on Nov. 29, 1936, in St. Louis, where he grew up and graduated from Central High School. He earned his bachelor's degree in English literature from the University of MissouriColumbia, where he was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. He was married to Cynthia Fullerton Bushmann, who survives of the home. In 1960, Les was drafted into the U.S. Army and was stationed first at Fort Benning, Ga., and then at Camp Casey in South Korea. Les served as an acting sergeant during his entire two-year tour of duty, which was extended in the Berlin Crisis of 1962. During his service in Korea, he played baseball for the U.S. Army and held the highest batting average in the league. Les's entire professional career was spent as an association manager. He was executive director of the Missouri Police Chiefs Association (1964-1966); executive vice president of the Automotive Wholesalers Association of Missouri (19661975); and executive vice president of the Missouri Association of Insurance Agents (19751999). After his retirement in 1999, he continued lobbying part-time for the insurance agents until 2003. He earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation from Michigan State University. Les was active in several professional and civic organizations, notably the American Society for Association Executives; Independent Insurance Agents of America; American Society of Insurance Association Executives (president); Missouri Society of Association Executives (president); Rotary West (treasurer); and Cole County Jaycees, where he served as chairman of the Cole County Fair in 1970. As a lobbyist in the Missouri Legislature (19752003), he was instrumental in passing many laws that benefit Missouri consumers to this day. In 1987, he was named "Insurance Person of the Year" by the Missouri Association of Insurance Agents. Les's passion was golf, and he was lucky enough to have played some of America's finest courses. The thing he loved best was playing golf on his favorite course with his friends and brother Gene at the Jefferson City Country Club. The best two days of his life were when he won the Jefferson City County Club's B-Flight Championship and when he made a hole-in-one at Redfield Golf Course in Eugene, Mo. He loved his family. He was an avid student of history and politics, often participating in political campaigns and Democratic Party initiatives. During the early 1970s, he served as Cole County Democratic Committeeman. Les hated antiquing and any other kind of shopping. His most redeeming quality was that he never took himself too seriously. Survivors include his wife, Cynthia Bushmann; two daughters, Kate Bushmann (Tim O'Mara) of New York City and Maggie Williams (Allen Retsema) of Jefferson City; two granddaughters, Eloise O'Mara of New York City and Elise Williams of Jefferson City; three sisters, Shirley Henslee of St. Louis, Judy Heilig of Houston, Texas, and Patricia Mosby of Malvern, Ark.; one brother, Gene Bushmann of Jefferson City; and many in-laws, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Kenneth J. Bushmann, of St. Louis. A family celebration of Les's life will be held at a later time. In lieu of flowers and other tributes, Les asked that you please donate to The Missouri Democratic Party (www.missouridemocrats.org) and vote Democratic. The family wishes to thank Hospice Compassus for their loving guidance and care. Arrangements are under the direction of TYLER M. WOODS FUNERAL DIRECTOR, 611 E. Capitol Ave., Jefferson City, Missouri 65101. (573) 636-2424. Condolences may be made to the family at www.WoodsMemorialServices.com