Words alone cannot describe the affection I have for Les.
I met Les about 7-8 years ago on iboats. I actually joined under another name in 2001. His "joke of the day" posts, always kept us laughing with his sense of humor and quick wit. He welcomed new members with open arms and an open heart just as he's done everywhere. Les was like a big ole bear hug.
We've all cried with him over the loss of his brother on 911 and more recently with yet another tradgedy that nearly devastated him. But Les was never one to ponder too long on the negative, he kept on "keepin on" as he would put it and thats how he approached life.
Les served as a confidant, a friend, a person who's simple honesty and integrity made him a hero to all of us. His compassion for others was genuine and so appreciated. He was truly one special guy!
There is a hole in my heart today with the loss of someone who was so special to me, and I know I share that sentiment with everyone else here. We were blessed that he crossed our paths and are better because of it. Knowing him as we do, makes this day one we will never forget. It also makes it a very difficult one since none of us ever had the chance to say goodbye.
Whoever thinks online friends are just a figment of your imagination is wrong. I feel as close to Les as if he lived right down the street even though we never actually met in person. This is real friendship and real loss, and it hurts.
Les my friend, may you be with God to continue your work. He obviously has more plans for you. Since you were our angel on earth, I can only imagine what you will be now.
Rest in peace Les, we love you and...
"JUST KEEP ON, KEEPING ON"©
LadyFish (Connie)
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yes, one of most beloved members and moderator. he will always be in our lives. whether his was Spinner Bait Nut or SBN. he was always, good ole Lester, a great friend, and father.
tashadaddy
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This world will be a much colder place without him.
My condolences his family. Rest in peace my friend.
Bart Sr.
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I learned who Lester was through iboats.com. From that developed emails, PMs, etc. The man had one of the biggest hearts I have ever seen and would do anything to help anyone if he could. His posts would always bring a smile to my face and you could count on Lester to be a voice of reason and bring peace and calm to any situation. Mischievious he was, but you knew where his heart was and you could not get upset even if you were the brunt of his teasing.
His work with children as Santa Claus was extra-ordinary. His love for all mankind was exemplary. He left a HUGE footprint everywhere he went. His shoes will be hard to fill on this earth. Lester, you will definitely be missed by all who had the privilege of being touched by your big heart - husband/father/friend. Our prayers go heavenward on behalf of all your family and friends.
Aspeck (Art)
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Very sad news indeed, so young. I only knew him thru iboats. When I saw a post or reply from Lester it was a first draw for me. His signature was like a familiar place in the harbor. Hard to explain.
Deepest condolences to you folks who knew him well and his family.
Farewell SBN
azlakes
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Rest in Peace my Friend. You will be missed 
Eric
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[IMG]http://mypeoplepc.com/members/grizzlybear310/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/lester.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://mypeoplepc.com/members/grizzlybear310/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/lester1.jpg[/IMG]
Lester's Signature quote KEEP ON KEEPING ON!
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"
Bob VT
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Spinner and i joined Iboat about the same time in 2002. It was from there we developed a close friendship. During Iboats earlier days Spinner and I tried to have a get together(roundo) A place was decided which was somewhere around St Louis. In the beginning over fifty folks were going to attend. Well only three of us showed. Spinner and I live only 100 miles from each other but drove 400 miles to meet each other. We had tshirts and gift certificates for three folks. Needless to say we all won.. I lost 50 lures that trip which blew out of the boat. He still held that over my head for years.
Our second roundo was held at Watts bar in Tenn. I think we had four this time.
BubbaKat and i got lost and Spinner would spin his tale about us whenever he could.
Over the years we camped together and fished. Each trip has its own story. MayFloat and Brian Fd. came once and i scared the heck out of Mayfloats wife after she made the mistake on getting in Gonfishns boat for a ride..
He was here for me when i had my grand opening as I am here for him now. My knowledge of boats is nil but Spinner would patiently help me figure it out.
I could go on and on here. I will miss my friend and i will always have a void in my heart now that he is gone. Right now he is looking down and smiling after some of my confessions here. Rest in piece my friend and catch that big one for me
gonfishn
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Oh man.........so sorry to hear that! I only know spinner through iboats and really enjoyed all the funnies he posted. My deepest condolences to the Wright family. RIP my friend, may your final destination have perfect spinnerbait condition all the time.
gonefishie
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iboats, fishing in his Gambler, NHRA and NASCAR, Dodge trucks and his biggest joy was from the grandchildren.......
__________________
IN MEMORY OF Our friend SpinnerBait_Nut LESTER WRIGHT July 31, 1953 - Nov 26, 2008 RIP
Bob VT
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im shocked....
my siscerest condolences to the family.
when i first joined the forum..........somehow or other spinners welcoming post to me, made me feel like a big arm came around me.
like a grandfather would welcome a grand son.
it sounds weird.....hard to put in words, dont know if any of you felt the same from him.
may the lord keep him, bless him, and give him peace.
oops
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Lester was a true freind, of not only me but everyone he met and touched the lives of.
I never actually met the man but we did talk and traded hundreds of emails. Nonetheless, we developed a long and great friendship.
This is a true loss to all of us here at iboats and to many that he did spend time with: The Great-SBN.
May God Bless You, my friend. Rejoice in Heaven as is so richly deserved.
My best to the Wright family.
DJ (Dan)
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A terrible loss for all.
SBN, The Good Lord has called you home and the world is a dimmer place without you in it
the best way i could think to honor you is to borrow you signature line
i hope the you approve
newboater
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Being still fairly new to these forums, the one thing I've learned in my short time here is that there are many members on this site, but several were always in the mix being helpful, patience, and sometimes just downright funny.
Spinner was one of those folks who stood out for me amongst the couple of dozen or so 'regulars'. Not having a chance to know Spinner and only experienced his nature from his posts over a short while, what I can tell from this thread is he was a pillar of this boating forum and many others. The pictures and comments pay a genuine tribute to a man who appeared to be a giving, caring individual who left an unfortunate void in his family and this online community.
My thoughts and prayers are with the Lester family at this time.
NelsonQ
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Very chocking news......My very best to Lesters family.....He will be missed sincerely...Thats all to sad
Dolluper
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I remember when he first got online here at iboats. Wasn't but a few thousand members then, but boy did he put his heart into being a major asset to this board.
Like gonfishin mentioned earlier, my wife and I finally got to meet up with him and gonfishin at Grayson Lake Kentucky. That was one of the many favorite lakes Lester enjoyed. Lester got a big chuckle out of gonfishin when he tried to use his lower unit on his outdrive to cultivate a ditch. Bent a bit, but it still worked fine. My wife wasn't too sure 
Thanks Bob VT for his picture in his Gambler. I took that when we was there visiting. I lost it when my computer crashed and glad to at least get it downloaded again. Was really hoping for him to pull out of it so that we could meet up again this coming season. More to say, but I can't see my keyboard or the screen for my tears. Many many prayers for the Wright family...........SS
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I was fortunate to meet Lester via the world wide web. Last year, he was instrumental in rallying the troops in an attempt to help a fellow iboater who was experiencing a particularly difficult Christmas period. He devoted his time, effort and money in this quest. I am sure it was not the first time.
He was one of the good ones, the world is a poorer place today.
Dunaruna
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Words come with pronounced difficulty but emotions and tears flow easily at times like this. Lester was all that you each have said thus far, and more. When someone thinks more of others, even total strangers, rather than himself, that begins to describe the measure of the man. That was Lester. When someone is willing to give of himself to others over and over and over again...thousands of times..., again to total strangers and without thinking of asking for anything in return, that was Lester.
Ladyfish described Lester beautifully, and in so doing also expressed our tender feelings toward him so well when she wrote just the other day on these Forums: "Spinner, Spinnerbaitnut, SBN, Les, Lester......no matter how you say it, he is one in a million. He has been a major contributer to this board for a very long time. He is also a valued member of our Mod Squad.
Les an icon on this board and respected and loved by everyone he meets whether its in person or in cyborspace. For those of you who haven't known him very long, he has a heart of gold. We love him for his sense of humor and his compassion for others, thats why he is so special."
As the founders and owners of iboats.com, my son and I began these Forums 10 years ago as a way for really good people...those just like Lester...to help the millions of boaters all over the world who really needed help on the tens of thousands of topics they were struggling with and for which they did not know where to turn for honest, thoughtful and...yes...free help.
My son and I are saddened far beyond the simple words we know how to express regarding the personal loss we deeply feel with Lester's passing. Our faith in a kind, loving Savior and Heavenly Father causes us to believe strongly that Lester is now in a much, much better place and that he is no longer suffering in any physical pain. For that we are sincerely grateful.
To his family and many, many close friends we express our sincere and heart-felt condolences and want each of you to know that you are and will be in our thoughts and daily prayers as you now move through these sad and difficult times.
For the millions of visitors to our Forums...those who have been on our site over the past many years that Lester has been such a marvelous contributor, and to those untold millions yet to come to iboats.com who will search on many hundreds of topics in our Forums in the coming years and there find Lester with his warm, insightful and helpful words of wisdom, he will remain alive and his legacy will remain visible and obvious. We will make sure that that happens!
Thank you Lester...our dear friend. God bless you.
Bruno Sr. iboats.com
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This has hit many of us who knew the type of man Les was very hard.
We will greatly miss his humor,insight and the friendship he showed to many of us here on Iboats.
I think many of us here feel we are more like family or good friends with many of the regulars.
I think Lester is at peace and looking down upon all of us hoping that we will remember all the good things and the laughs we all shared.
God Bless the Wright family and i hope his girls stay in touch from time to time.
We are not a boating club,we are family.I think Spinner felt that way.
We will miss you big buddy! You are in a better place and we will meet again.To the family of Lester Wright.
Gary H NC
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I met Lester through iboats many years ago. He was always a friendly voice when I chose to visit. We have had many conversations over the years, and I genuinely considered him a friend. He always got a kick out of my screen name, (which is Carphunter). I never had the chance of meeting Les in person, and for that I am sorry. Anyone that says that you can't develop real friends over the internet, apparently never met Les. He was truly a special person that touched many peoples lives, as you can see if you visit any of the sites he frequented. There is a huge hole in my heart on this day, and it is extremely hard to see what I am typing through the tears. I will miss my conversations with him, and his sense of humor. I just wanted you all to know what he meant to me. I don't have many friends, but I certainly considered Lester to be one. He called me his friend many times, and for that I am truly blessed and honored. I will miss him.
You are all in my families prayers. You have my e-mail address and my phone number. If you need anything, just call.
May God bless you all during this trying time.