Lester L. Gatrel

Lester (Tex) Gatrel Sr. 84 of Indianola, IA, born in Sewel, IA, on December 17, 1931, passed away Wednesday, February 10, 2016. Tex is survived by his wife Pat (My wife, my wife, my wonderful wife. My wife, my wife is the love of my life.). They celebrated 65 years of marriage on May 27, 2015. He is also survived by four exceptional children- Rosanna Foreman, of Indianola, Ia. Deb (Mike) Norris of Colleyville, TX.- Kandy (Frank) Beeler of Indianola, IA.- Les Gatrel Jr., of Kennewick, WA. and two special young men, David Billings, formerly of of Knoxville, IA and Kevin Moon, formerly of Ankeny, IA. ten grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren. He was extremely proud of all his children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren, many special nieces and nephews. He is also survived by two sisters, Katie Mortiz of Davenport, IA. And Thomasine Rennenger of Indianola, IA; his aunt Crystal Gadberry, of Powersville, MO. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hartley and Marie Gatrel and baby brother. Tex and Pat owned and operated Gatrels landscaping & Sod Farm for 35 years. He was the president of the Iowa Sod Growers Assoc. Prior to that, he worked at Iowa Packing Co/Swift & Co for 9 years. Tex was also involved in sprint car and NASCAR racing all over the USA. He was one of the founding fathers and first president of the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame, in Knoxville, Ia. He received the Heritage Award from the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 2004. Tex and Pat were inducted into Knoxville Raceway Hall of Fame in 2009. Per his request; a Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, February 15th from 6:00pm to 9:00pm at the Scotch Ridge Church, 13015 Scotch Ridge Road, Carlisle, IA., south of Des Moines and north of Indianola just off of Highway 65/69. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Rebuilding Together Greater Des Moines, 1111 9th St., Suite # 265, Des Moines, IA, 50131-1651