Charles Lester Britton, age 72, of Buffalo Gap, SD, passed away May 22, 2017, at the Rapid City Regional Hospice House in Rapid City, SD. The family would like to thank everyone at the Hospice House for their wonderful love and exceptional care.

Charles Lester (also known by many other nicknames) was born on January 7, 1945, to John Charles and Marion Britton at Sister's Hospital in Hot Springs, SD. He spent his childhood in Igloo, SD, until joining the United States Navy in 1962. Charles was a Vietnam Combat Veteran, serving two tours in Vietnam, one abroad ship and one aboard an attack craft in Maycon Delta. During this time, we know he was awarded an Achievement Medal for Combat Service and a Meritorious Unit Commendation, although there may have been others that he declined to mention.

After being discharged from the Navy, he lived and worked mostly in South Dakota and Wyoming. While in Buffalo Gap he worked at the Hot Springs VA as a ground keeper and nurses aid. He married Robin Merrill in 1971, and adopted her son, Sam. In 1972, he moved to Rapid City shortly after the flood and set up trailer parks for those whose homes were destroyed.

In 1982, he married Peggy Harrison and became a father to her five sons; Gary, Frank, Sam, Robert, and Joe. They returned to Buffalo Gap where they raised Arabian Horses. Charles returned to the Hot Springs VA as a housekeeper and pest control officer.

In 1993, he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior and shortly after, met his wife, Jill. She had two daughters, Sumer and Jenny, that he also loved as his own. He and Jill lived for the Lord, raising their family together, and attending Southern Hills Evangelical Free Church in Hot Springs, for the next 22 years.

Charles was a man of prayer, known for his joyful spirit, kindness and generosity toward everyone and his strength and integrity. He was a friend to everyone he met and a father to many. He enjoyed FOX news, digging in the dirt with heavy equipment and playing bass in his bluegrass band, Beaver Creek. Charles served faithfully in many capacities in his church and looked forward to helping in the kitchen at Camp Hallawasa every summer. He served with two mission trips to Costa Rica and enjoyed fishing trips to Canada.
Charles is preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Robert, Jesse, Edward, Margaret, JoAnn and Mary (Dodd) Britton.

Charles is survived by his wife, Jill Britton of Buffalo Gap; siblings, John (Richard) of Hot Springs; Karen (Britton) McCleery of Hot Springs; children, Sam (Tammy) Britton of Casper, WY; Frank Rang of Rapid City; Gary (Jennifer) Curran of Cottondale, FL; Sam Costa of St. James, MN; Robert (Wendy) Powers of Mesquite, NV; Joe Blaine of Torrington, WY; Sumer (Justin) Wollerman of Casper, WY; Jennifer (Chris) Yellow Thunder of Hot Springs; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 31, 2017, at the Southern Hills Evangelical Free Church in Hot Springs with Pastor Mark Crossman officiating.

Committal services were held 11:30 a.m., Thursday, May 25, 2017, at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

Memorials may be sent to Camp Hallawasa, 2286 Minnewasta, Rapid City, SD 57702.