Lester L. Hahn

Lester L. “Les” Hahn, 77, Of Avon Park, Florida, passed away unexpectedly on January 28 ^th , 2022. Les was born on December 27 ^th , 1944, in Miami, Florida, the son of John and Juanita Hahn. The oldest of three brothers (christened by Les as “The Hahn Boys”), he was a role model to his siblings, leading them by example and always pushing them to excel at whatever they did. At a young age, Les displayed extraordinary drive and leadership qualities, and continued to display those attributes throughout his entire life.

After working his way through college at the fish and wildlife and forestry services, Les graduated in June of 1967 from Montana State University with a Bachelors in Zoology. One month later he married his sweetheart, Nancy Berger. By October of that year, Les had received a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force, earned his wings, and served as an Arial Navigator on board a KC-135 over the South Pacific and Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. As a result of his honorable service, Les earned the rank of Captain, an Air Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, a Presidential Unit Citation with one Oak Leaf Cluster, an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, a National Defense Service Medal, an Air Force Longevity Service Award, a Vietnam Service Medal with two Service Stars, and numerous other awards.

After his military service, Les and Nancy, along with their two children, decided to settle in the Panama City, Florida area. Once established there, Les went on to earn his Masters in Banking at Louisiana State University and worked in that field in the Panama City area for 38 years—25 years at Bay Bank and Trust, the remainder with First National Bank of Northwest Florida and First National Bank in Destin. Known by his employees as a “great boss,” Les again found himself leading by example. It was said of him that “everyone who worked for him loved him.” One of Les’s closest friends and coworker recounted that Les “told it like it was, but never thought he was above anyone.”  Although Les embraced his career, and like other challenges, excelled at it, he often said that the greatest time of his life was when he coached his son, Jon Hahn, as a Lynn Haven Raider football player.

In addition to his parents, Les was preceded in death by his son, Jonathan Lester “Jon” Hahn (Michele), who he grievously missed and mourned for until his last breath. Surviving In addition to his wife of nearly 55 years, Nancy (Berger) Hahn, is his daughter, Tricia Lee Jeter (Kurt), of Savannah, Georgia; four grandchildren, Chaseton Hahn (Lauren), Colton Hahn, Walker Rogers (Amber), and Madison Rogers; two brothers, Ronald Gowin “Rohn” Hahn (Patty) and Randell Gene Hahn (Linda), both of Spokane, WA; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at Southerland Funeral Home in Panama City, Florida on February 23 ^rd at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars at VFW.org.

Arrangements entrusted to:

Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home

Online condolences may be left at:

www.stephensonnelsonfh.com