He passed away with family by his side at Griffith Base Hospital on Sunday April 14 at the age of 76. The Owen family look back at his pioneering attitude, generosity of spirit and his passion for people.

Lester cemented the Toyota brand in Griffith and the family business of Owen Toyota continues today after 45 years in operation.

He also brought the Hyundai and the Bumpa T Bumpa parts and accessories franchises to Griffith in the early 90s, which became known as Automart.

His passion to grow the family business made him a workaholic. It was not uncommon for him to be at the dealership seven days a week until all hours of the night.

This continued well into his early 70's as the only employee at his Automart store on Banna Avenue.

Lester began supporting many charities and sporting teams in the 1980's as the Toyota brand was growing. He later gave the dealership the slogan of 'The Good Sports' to reflect this dedication.

He left an impression on everyone he met. He wasn't afraid to speak his mind and may have come across as intimidating to some. However, he was very generous and loyal, and Lester often inconspicuously supported many people in need.

After 35 years in the dealership environment Lester decided to take a step aside from Owen Toyota and in 2004 handed over the reins to his twin sons Mark and Dean.

He then moved into his Automart store where he enjoyed serving and meeting the many locals who shopped there.

Always quick with a joke, he had something funny to say to whoever walked through the door. It wasn't uncommon for him to give little items away to children who came in with their parents.

In August 2014 Lester suffered a hemorrhage to the brain, and was rushed to Sydney for emergency surgery.

This left him with frequent seizures which eventually required him to reluctantly close the doors to Automart at the end of 2015.

The family say it was Lester's request not to tell anyone when he passed but they said that was a task easier said than done in a close-knit town such as Griffith.

He "didn't want to make a fuss" and in his typical larrikin attitude requested the family to join him for a private family "barbecue" at the Wagga Crematorium.

The family thank the local community for their outpouring of support, however have decided to respect Lester's wishes and will not be having a memorial service.

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