Lester Son Hing

Lester Luke Son Hing, age 64, passed away peacefully on April 11, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family.

Born on February 6, 1962, in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, Lester was the youngest of five brothers. He often shared fond memories of his childhood: trips to the beaches of South Africa, his mother’s incredible cooking, narrowly escaping the loss of a finger to a neighbor’s dog, playing pranks on his teachers, and teasing his older brothers on their dates—stories that reflected his mischievous sense of humor and deep love for family.

During his high school years, Lester’s journey took him from South Africa to Canada, where he later graduated from the University of Waterloo in 1986. He launched his career shortly thereafter, spending over three decades (1987–2023) as a software engineer and project manager at Nortel, which was later acquired by Ericsson.

In 1986, Lester married Jacki Lamothe. Together, they welcomed their daughters, Jocelyn and Julia, whom they raised in Plano, Texas, after moving there in 1995. Lester was a devoted father who could always be found on the sidelines—camera in hand—capturing countless photos and hours of video at sporting events and band concerts, preserving memories his family will treasure forever. He also fully embraced family traditions, including joining his daughters and their friends for their annual, middle-of-the-night Black Friday shopping excursions.

In 2002, Lester’s life took an unexpected turn when he was diagnosed with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia. His dedication to family became the driving force behind the remarkable strength he showed in this challenging time as he fought for his life. On January 18, 2003, after undergoing months of intensive chemotherapy and radiation, he received a bone marrow transplant from an anonymous donor in Taiwan. Lester gained an additional twenty-three years of life as a result of this incredible gift. He filled this time with love, family, and cherished experiences. His family holds deep and enduring gratitude for the anonymous donor whose selfless act made those years possible.

Lester moved to Hilton Head Island in 2014, and in 2019, he married Hui Chun "Amy" Ho, with whom he shared a joyful and adventurous new chapter together. Their time together was filled with travel, unforgettable meals around the world, and countless rounds of golf—including 190 rounds in a single year at their local Rose Hill course alone. The couple settled in Grovetown, Georgia in anticipation of his retirement. In 2023, they celebrated this milestone by taking an incredible overseas trip together, enjoying the sights, shopping, and vibrant local cuisines of several cities in Asia, including Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. In Taiwan, he met Amy’s family and quickly developed a special connection with her father that transcended the language barrier. They spent many nights bonding over prized bottles of fancy cognac—bottles Amy had collected decades ago during her travels in Europe. Her father had kept them safely stored away all those years, never finding the right occasion to open them, but was eager to finally uncork them to share with Lester.

Those who knew Lester will remember his ability to bring warmth and laughter into any room. He had a deep love for golf, travel, and great food, and he lived life with a sense of fun and energy that never faded. He loved driving fast, weaving through traffic, and “drafting” (aka tailgating) on the highway, and he never lost his appreciation for simple, boyish fun—fireworks, slingshots, tinkering with tools, and endless potato chips. In a fitting tribute to his love of golf, Lester’s final outing was on April 4, 2026, nearly two years after being diagnosed with metastatic stomach cancer. After years of entering the ticket lottery, and with the loving support of his family, he realized his dream of attending the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club.

Lester is lovingly remembered by his devoted wife, Hui Chun "Amy" Ho; his daughters, Jocelyn Lee (Adrian Muñoz) and Julia McGinnis (Robert McGinnis); his cherished grandchildren, Kenny, Charlie, Sunny, and Oliver; and his brothers, Lawrence "Larry" Son Hing (Sharon), Leigh Son Hing (Linda), and Mark Son Hing (Mary). He also leaves behind a large extended family and many friends around the globe, including in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and South Africa.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Victor and Wei Quen (née Chung) Son Hing, and his eldest brother, Don Son Hing (Lorena).

Above all, Lester will be remembered for his love of family, his humor, his resilience, and the countless moments of joy he created for those around him. His legacy lives on in the memories he captured and the lives he touched around the globe. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

In lieu of sending flowers, Lester’s family kindly asks that you enjoy a delicious meal or a round of golf in his memory.