Grave of Tom Lester-EB Dawson of Green Acres

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Lester was born in Laurel, Mississippi.
In 1948, he became a born-again Christian, and became involved in the Baptist church. At that time he said he thought the Lord's plan for his life would deliver him to Hollywood, California, to embark on an acting career. He discussed his plans and his dream of becoming an actor with his parents.
After he graduated from Laurel High School, he attended the University of Mississippi, where he received a B.Sc. degree in chemistry and biology. He briefly attended graduate school at the University of Southern Mississippi, but acting became his main interest.
After moving to Hollywood, Lester met radio and character actress Lurene Tuttle, who became his friend and acting coach. She suggested he begin work in the Little Theater, which he did, acting in showcases at the North Hollywood Playhouse.
In the early 1960s, Lester appeared in a play with CBS producer Paul Henning's daughter Linda Kaye Henning (Betty Jo Bradley of Petticoat Junction), and Lester soon found himself auditioning for the role of Eb Dawson, farmhand to Oliver Wendell Douglas (played by Eddie Albert) on Green Acres. Lester beat around 400 other actors to play the character after a screen test.
Lester later said he won the role because he was the only actor who auditioned who knew how to milk a cow since he grew up on a farm in Mississippi. His recurring role soon became a regular character due to the character's and the show's popularity, which made Lester a household name.
As several Green Acres characters also appeared in episodes of two other CBS series - Petticoat Junction and The Beverly Hillbillies - Lester, as Eb Dawson, also occasionally appeared on those shows. Even during the height of Green Acres' popularity, Lester lived modestly in a small apartment over a garage in the San Fernando Valley. Each year during the show's summer hiatus he would travel the country and speak at churches, youth rallies and revival meetings and at one time worked for the Reverend Billy Graham's organization.
Lester appeared in nearly every Green Acres episode between 1965 and 1971, with the exception of the first half in the 1967-68 season when he was ill with mononucleosis. The show's explanation for Eb's absence was that he had eloped and was on his honeymoon. After six seasons, Green Acres was cancelled in 1971 as part of CBS's "rural purge".
After Green Acres, Lester was typecast as Eb Dawson. In 1990, he reunited with Albert and Eva Gabor to reprise his role in Return to Green Acres.
He returned to his parents' home in Laurel, Mississippi, but continued to do an occasional movie or TV role. During the mid-1970s to early 1980s, his roles included guest spots in Little House on the Prairie, Marcus Welby, M.D., Knight Rider and Love, American Style. In 1991 he played the adult Pete Maravich in the film about the future basketball hall-of-famer's youth, The Pistol: The Birth of a Legend.
On April 20, 2020, Lester died from complications of Parkinson's disease. He was 81. tom lester

[@conservativehippie9736]

I love it when Eb calls them Mom and Dad. He seemed like the sweetest man.

[@williamhaynes4800]

My favorite episode was when he was trying to win a radio contest to guess 10 song names. All the songs were the same tune but he would know the crazy names of each.

[@conservativehippie9736]

@@williamhaynes4800 👏💚🤣

[@eddie8279]

That was the real Tom Lester when I met him. A real man.

[@conservativehippie9736]

@@eddie8279 you just made me 🙂 Thank you!!!🤝❤️‍🔥

[@eddie8279]

@@conservativehippie9736 Tom was without a doubt one of the first persons I have ever met. I only got to spend a couple of hours with him but I will forever cherish the memories.

[@eddie8279]

I share the same hometown as Tom. I grew up watching "Green Acres" and the other shows that were connected to it. I moved to Alabama in 1973 then fast forward to 2011 and got to meet and have lunch with Tom. I can honestly say that he was the kindest, humble man I have ever met. I visited his grave during a visit to Laurel last year. Thank you for sharing your travels with us.

[@Dan-tf1zq]

Thank you for the tour and GOD bless Tom Lester for being a Christian in Hollywood. I'm sure he was made to feel uncomfortable.

[@Modeltnick]

He was great on Green Acres! Didn’t know he passed away. Great tribute to him. Great job!

[@bentonmckinney5454]

I saw Tom Lester speak at the church I attended and he was a nice man and it was a pleasure to meet him

[@maragetwhite8001]

Tom Lester was a wonderful actor I loved watching Green Acres he was wonderful I'm sorry I can't put it in any other way the very sorry when he passed away it was such wonderful memories back in those days rest in peace Tom Lester

[@rachelramsey1245]

I was sorry to hear of his passing.He was a great actor and a Christian.Would loved to have met him.Will be happy to meet him in heaven one day

[@Linda-in9ns]

He was so funny and a kind man. I watch him every night in Green Acres. lol 🙏🏼❤️📺🎚

[@veedejames721]

Hi Linda, if you loved Green acres, and petticoat junction, ME TV show them on the weekends. I watch both, I appreciate the classics more so than a lot new shows they put on today, we can watch as a family, good clean wholesome fun. I can let my small children watch, no profanity, nudity, things I don't want little ones exposed too. Take care, God Bless.peace,light,and Blessings from my family to you and yours. Love,respect, and positivity Always. Vee and Family.

[@clarencejacksonjr.]

Loved him on Green Acres. Glad to find out he was born again, and worked with Billy Graham. Thanks!

[@vafunseekers]

Thanks for sharing this grave. Always enjoyed watching Tom Lester on Green Acres.

[@1CathyHendrix]

I loved him on Green Acres. Thank you for the information on his life, and for taking us along to pay respects to him!

[@haroldharwell7078]

Tommy was a cousin , I only meet him twice. Once in Vossburg ,Ms. , Second was at a funeral for our Aunt Gertrude, which was in the same cemetery he is buried in now.

[@wendellellison3482]

I remember being scared, feeling isolated and working from home when this pandemic started. Since I was at home so much, I fell into a television watching routine. This routine included Green Acres and many other staple programs of the 1950's and 60's. Programs that I would not have seen if the pandemic did not occur. Anyway, on one April morning in 2020, I was watching the last two episodes of Green Acres and wondering if any of the original cast was still alive, God as my witness, immediately after the last episode aired, there was a tribute to the just-deceased Tom Lester. Sad and surreal.

[@frednelson9828]

As a child I used to watch Green Acres. In the mid 1960’s I had a paper route in Jackson, MS and I delivered to his parents. Got to meet him one evening when collecting. Made my day!

[@philknerr4587]

Loved the character of Eb. He was a funny man and it is nice to hear that he lived his faith!!

[@swansfan6944]

Great show, use to love watching it back in the day. He was obviously a very smart man. I noticed he died 5 days after my favourite actor Brian Dennehy and they were the same age, yet I didn’t hear of Toms death until your video. Thanks for sharing Jason and RIP Thomas Lester thank you for the memories. ❤️Jodie 🇦🇺

[@dawndellarocco2362]

What a great actor very smart and religious. I love this announcer very informative and good. I loved Eb.

[@DS-ky9dl]

He was great on that show, and a kind guy to everyone. Thanks for the tour.

[@shawnn1412]

I grew up in Memphis, and Mr. Lester was a family friend of my neighbor two doors up. In 1985, we went on vacation, and their daughter house sat for us. Mr. Lester came to visit, stayed at our house, and slept in my bedroom. Just another on my list of celebrities that I did not meet. Ask me sometime, and I'll tell you about not meeting Bryan Adams.

[@tommywood343]

I loved the tv show green acres. EB Dawson. Thanks for the video on tom Lester. R.I.P Tom 🙏

[@wesmcgee1648]

Tom was a Christian and totally devoted to his faith. He preached the Gospel.

[@marygarner5249]

He could light up a room amazing actor what a personality 💟

[@rhondaz356]

Not only was he a terrific actor, but he was obviously very bright, and had a fine character.👏🙏🏼🌈

[@jimmydeboy]

Thanks a million , it’s fantastic to take these walks with you 🙏

[@jehobden]

Thanks for this visit. I got to see him speak at my church back in 1990.

[@karencoker9594]

amazing videothank you show video green acres

[@carolburback3596]

I am touched to see this. I grew up watching GreenAcres. Thank you for the history also.

[@franr9461]

RIP to Mr. Lester and I thank him for all the laughs portraying EB.

[@rodolfoayalajr.8589]

Great memories. He was one of the youngest of the cast. Rip greatness Amen 🙏. Great video friend. Amen 🙏.

[@22spicemandan]

I met him once when I lived in Mississippi. I met him when I worked at the mall in Ridgeland Mississippi. He was having lunch in the food court. My wife was working at the mall in the food court.

[@22spicemandan]

I got his autograph.

[@carmelasilvestri4207]

This was so nice . Thankyou for taken us along. Nicely done.

[@rongarrett1366]

I think about Eb and Lisa Douglas every time I have a breakfast of fried oatmeal.

[@rachelramsey1245]

I watched green acres as a child.Still watch the reruns on me-tv every night

[@movieman9100]

God Bless Tom Lester.

[@trentbryant2373]

As always Backroads teaching and showing us some great stuff, Very informative. Would have never guessed EB had that kind of education and religious background. Thanks so much.

[@MARLONdaman]

Just about every morning when I get off work I get home and can’t wait to spend at least 30 minutes watching this show! 🙋🏿‍♂️

[@misstoni3901]

Your channel came up as a suggestion for me. I love your channel and you got a new sub. When I have time I binge watch your vlogs. I enjoyed watching the Green Acres reruns as a child and still watch it to this day. Continue to RIP Tom Lester.

[@JackDaniels267]

Binge watching Green Acres. I love Eb, specially when he called Oliver dad. 😂🤣

[@sallykohorst8803]

I love green acres today as when it first appeared. Thsnks for sharing his story.

[@samcowart7564]

Really great video I like you doing the older TV shows actors and actresses keep them coming see you on the next one

[@ronaldunderwood4353]

Enjoyed green acres for many years.

[@michaelporter3347]

I met him years ago and heard him preach when he visited my childhood church.

[@thebookoffesteskyle1753]

i also seen his testimony at a revival-very nice man

[@patrickmccarty3249]

Dear back roads my dad went to high school with Tom lester

[@Linda-in9ns]

Your dad was so lucky 👍

[@tammybyrant4935]

Tom Lester was a really funny guy with a great personality.I got the Pleasure of being one of his caregivers when he was in Assisted Living in Franklin Tn. His favorite passed time was to to watch reruns of Green acres and also watch Billy Graham up a KZbin.

[@marygarner5249]

Thank you for taking us along 💟

[@rockandrollnana]

He was a great actor

[@leesashriber5097]

Always teaching us new things! Grateful for you 😊

[@veedejames721]

Yes I remember him, how funny he was. I watched the reruns.. I loved all the actors. True Biology and chemistry is not easy but I majored in both. You have to study hard. Thank you for all the places you go, the graves you visit. One thing, it's not rambling if what you are saying make sense. You make a lot of sense, no need to apologize. I was the one who had to disect the pigs,frogs and earthworms. Nobody else wanted too. But I loved both in highschool and college. I respect Thomas aka Eb even more now that I know that. In spite of his illness he lived to be 80 where many even without a illness, don't live that long. A lot of us never think of our favorite Actors, actresses, singers ect growing old. Type casting is wrong. It's a character not the person, but lots of actors, actresses get type casted for one role they play so well, they never get to play other roles. You not only do justice to the graves you visit. You give us a History lesson, you tell us something maybe we didn't know. So ramble on my friend. Take care, God Bless. I look forward to where you take us next. Love respect and positivity Always. Vee,ace and Family.

[@veedejames721]

EB

[@Corgis175]

I remember him very well. Quite funny. RIP.

[@don66hotrod94]

Thanks for sharing this tribute to Tom Lester. A good and talented man.

[@vlehr2903]

He had a true faith in the Lord Jesus and lived out his faith through Gods spirit in him,I look forward to seeing him in heaven!

[@vickiwatson3284]

Green acres is the place to be born living this life for me

[@rondaestep1792]

He was so funny I loved Green Acres I wish they still made shows loke that I don't really care for the new tv shows

[@johnharris3362]

I haven't had my TV connected to the outside world more then twenty years. We have mostly watch DVDs of series of TV shows my wife and I watched growing up in the sixties and seventies.

[@vickiwatson3284]

Thanks for sharing

[@franksplace9085]

Thank you for sharing he was so funny on green acres!

[@kimberlywhite4340]

Thanks for another great viedo.. loved this show as a kid , it was funny

[@conservativehippie9736]

One of my good friends was diagnosed with Parkinsons 2 yrs ago. The changes are happening so fast! It's heartbreaking!!!

[@latishalopez6297]

Yes very sad great show

[@deanpd3402]

He was the classic representation of everything that is good about America. From an Australian.

[@garywarmee4367]

Very moving. He was 81? I fell upon a Tom Lester video and on a lark watched it. It made me sad that after hearing Tom explain that the reason he looked so good at 58 was because he worked out, took vitamins, ate no fats and lived a healthy lifestyle only to learn he died 3 years later. From a small apt. above a garage in the SFV to a grave in Rural Mississippi, this is the journey we take. What a sincere man. A touching life.

[@gregoryclemen1870]

not every one is moved by money, just like "BENNY HILL", he lived in an apartment, did not own a car, and when they went into his apartment because no one had herd from him for awhile, they found him "EXPIRED", and they found a bunch of checks that had not been deposited/ cashed in . he lived a low key life, and did not care about living a glitzy/ glorious life, just a simple one.

[@mollycaz1]

Thank you that was very interesting

[@jeanaesamuel47]

Awesome video!!! Love this!!!

[@marlenepearson3936]

Thanks for sharing 👍 I loved him on Green Acres! So, funny!

[@andreabryant1131]

thank you for remembering! him!!! loved on green acres!! rip Tom Lester! thanks sir for bringing us along!!✌ to his gravesite!!

[@vickiwatson3284]

Sorry farm living is the life for me. I knew I should have typed it in myself!

[@jamesjones8572]

I met him in 19 97 he was a wonderful human being very nice rip my good friend Tom Lester

[@swansfan6944]

I just googled Tom after this video and it said him and his wife owned a farm in Vossburg Mississippi yet he passed away in Nashville Tennessee (wonder why). He married in 2007 first marriage for him and apparently no children, also she is only about 56 yrs old now the web site said. 😮 Thanks again Jason, I enjoyed the video. ❤️Jodie 🇦🇺

[@sharonw2475]

Eb: "Golly, I only have one suit, one shirt and one shoe."..............Oliver: One "shoe????" ........Eb: "yeah, I wear it on a different foot each day so you won't notice." Nobody else in the entire universe could have played Eb Dawson better than Tom Lester, RIP Tom and thanks for the many laughs.

[@magprob]

EB was just a sweet guy.

[@DanoSlingz]

Great video! Green Acres was the funniest show ever! I still watch it most weekday nights on MeTV along with Andy Griffiths and Beverly Hill Billy's 😎

[@rickprusak9326]

Those grave stones that are on the ground did not fall down by themselves or by the wind. There are young teens and older teens that vandalize graveyards by pushing tall grave stones down.

[@gregoryclemen1870]

many grave yards are locking the gates to stop the vandalism, I have a hard time wrapping my head around such activity, to disrespect the dead is a real SIN in my book!!!!.

[@lucykoch5046]

Thank you

[@deegee1119]

Thank you! Love Eb!

[@harveycaldwell2409]

Tom Lester he was always funny when he played eb

[@margaretlisboa563]

Loved Green Acres

[@allknight7905]

There were a few shows that EB Would come flying in on a minibike as a little kid I thought that was The coolest .

[@garyhollin9702]

Thanks man 👨 for your input . I did learn something about him.

[@ricj7517]

Eb was my fav Green Acres character R.I.P Tom

[@markleland6337]

I remember him! Funny Funny man.

[@malindajones-hx9kd]

he was a amazing actor on green acres

[@roycarlon4456]

God bless

[@Jtsct]

You can't help but wonder, could have anyone else portrayed Eb as good as Tom did...I seriously doubt it. RIP Mr Lester thanks for the laughs.

[@andreabryant1131]

you don't ramble love the info✌

[@bryanpotter3882]

Rest in paradise Tom Lester 🙏

[@randy12345557]

Saw Green acres when it started in the sixties.

[@markshockley5533]

It would be nice to see you do civil war historian grave of Shelby Foote buried somewhere in Memphis Tennessee near some civil war confederate soldiers.Shelby was featured in Ken Burns series the civil war.He was known for his personal style of telling the war especially from the confederate's point of view.

[@BackRoads1]

He is on the list. I’ve watched many videos of him. His voice is true southern. I plan on visiting him sometime this year. He is in Memphis.

[@jamesjones8572]

I miss Tom Lester he was really cool guy

[@jamesjones8572]

patient guy R I'm at home in 1997 he was a wonderful guy very patient with his fans

[@williamdixon1992]

WOW! I did not know he passed away? A strong Christian!

[@chriscosby2459]

Green Acres had some great characters -- including Eb.

[@jtclark877]

Right across the street from my high school. My uncle Bill is buried there in that cemetery.

[@ShannonFreng]

I agree it's ironic, you parking right near it, unknowingly.

[@user-rk9se6zo6y]

I didn't know that he passed away. He was always pestering Eddie alberts character every time on the show. Green acres. 😊 Pam Johnson McPherson ks

[@carolgillis5265]

Hey Back Roads

[@22spicemandan]

I watch Green Acres on Me Tv.

[@traumachef1]

Eb was the best

[@SuperWoodyboy]

He was a fun actor...shame his stone is set crooked...not even 2 years later

[@jamesjones8572]

I met him in 1997

[@robertgriswell7867]

Rip

[@shaystern2453]

editing is in your future

[@frankieturner630]

I did not know he passed away