Robert “Bryson” LesleyChickamauga

Robert "Bryson" Lesley went home to be with the Lord on September 16, 2025. He was born in Starkville, Mississippi, on March 27, 1932, to the late John Boyd and Thelma Jean Lesley.
Bryson attended Erskine College and Ole Miss graduating from Erskine in 1953. He then served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and married in 1955. He began his professional career working for his father-in-law, Hugh Smith, at Jackson Paper Company. In 1969, he moved to the Chattanooga area and founded his own business, Advance Paper Company, where he worked until his retirement in 2003.
Bryson had many passions, including whitewater kayaking, snow skiing, competitive sailing, and restoring British cars. He was instrumental in founding the Southern British Car Club and the youth sailing camp at the Privateer Yacht Club. He also loved Jersey cattle and owned a dairy business, Chickamauga Jerseys.
An avid outdoorsman, Bryson could often be found on his tractor or in his shop restoring classic British cars.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John Boyd and Thelma Lesley.
Bryson is survived by his three children: Alice Lesley Leroy (Gary), John Lesley, and Gene Lesley (Stephanie); two grandchildren: Christin Lesley Davis (Chris) and Tori Lesley Montecalvo; and four great-grandchildren: Ella and Campbell Davis, Lettie and Nellie Montecalvo.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Privateer Sailing Education Fund in memory of Bryson Lesley at the following link, https://secure.givelively.org/donate/privateer-sailing-education-foundation.
A graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, September 22, 2025, at Chattanooga National Cemetery. Online guest book at www.wilsonfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by W. L. Wilson & Sons Funeral Homes, Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia.