Mr. Celester Raymond "Lester" DeGroat

May 16, 1940 - November 3, 2020

Mr. Celester Raymond “Lester” DeGroat, Sr. was born on May 16, 1940 in Saginaw, Michigan to the parents of Elzora (Easley) Hicks and Carleton DeGroat. He was raised in Saginaw and passed away on November 3, 2020 at the age of 80 years. He graduated from Saginaw High School and retired from the Saginaw Public School District. He enjoyed working out, watching old cowboy movies, sports, listening to jazz, old classics and traveling. He also enjoyed having his favorite drinks after the end of a long day. Mr. DeGroat leaves to cherish many memories, four daughters and one son, Denise (Tyrone) DeGroat, Cynthia Anderson, Kathy Hayes, Celester DeGroat II and Brittney DeGroat; three special children, Johnathon Atkins, Ronni Walker and Enice Lundy-Kelly; 15 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Augusta (Dwight) Woods and Elaine Hicks; one brother, Carleton DeGroat; step-brother, Johnny McClaine; two nieces, Jasmine Atkins and Marleyna Greene-Garrett; nephew, Bilal Harris many other relatives including special friends, Archie Dale, Roy Potterfield, Marie Beasley, " Robert "Moe" Woods, Mr. and Mrs. Ellis, Ruthie Moore and Kim Farrington. Celester was preceded in death by his parents, Carleton DeGroat and Elzora Hicks; step-mother, Zonnie DeGroat; grandparents, “Ma and Pa” DeGroat and six uncles. Funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 19, 2020 at the Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 N. Jefferson Ave., Saginaw, MI 48607. Pastor Taurus Simpson, Sr. will officiate with interment in Forest Lawn Cemetery, 3210 S. Washington Ave., Saginaw, MI 48601. Friends may call at the funeral home from 2:00 until 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 18, 2020.