The collection is organized in four series, two of which have been further arranged in sub-series. The contents of each series, including sub-series, are arranged alphabetically and/or chronologically. The arrangement scheme is noted for each series or sub-series, as needed.

The collection of Lester Strother, a Fort Worth magazine publisher and editor. Included in this collection are the records of the Texas Metro publication and personal records of Lester Strother and his second wife Dora Dougherty, a U.S. Military pilot and helicopter test pilot for Bell Helicopter.

Lester James Strother (1925-2001)

Lester Strother (1925-2001) was an editor, publisher, stockholder and founder of the Dallas/Fort Worth Texas Metro Magazine.

Born on March 9, 1925 in Elizabeth, Louisiana, naval veteran Lester Strother graduated from the University of Missouri School of Journalism and began an eighteen year long news career in editing, publishing and writing for a variety of papers and cities. He served as a staff correspondent with the United Press in Dallas, a public relations director for the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce and assistant city editor for the Fort Worth Star Telegram, among many others.

However, it was in 1965 when Strother established his legacy. He acknowledged that “…Dallas and Fort Worth were exceptionally ignorant when it came to a knowledge of each other” and subsequently founded the Texas Metro Magazine that would come to unify the two cities’ distinct identities ("Lester Strother to San Angelo Rotary Club"). As a result of his accomplishments, Mr. Strother would continue on to give countless speeches and lectures on successful journalism, advertising, and publishing to accredited universities including North Texas State University (now the University of North Texas).

Mr. Strother was a member of several associations, most notably, Sigma Delta Chi—professional news fraternity, Kappa Alpha Mu—professional photographic fraternity, the Press Club of Fort Worth, the Fort Worth Advertising Club, and the Dallas Advertising League. His awards include a Certificate of Appreciation from the Carswell Air Force base, the Ambassador of Goodwill award from the city of Richardson, Texas, a Pacesetter Award by the Grand Prairie Chamber of Commerce, and a Merit Award from the Fort Worth Advertising Club.

Mr. Strother passed away on August 12, 2001. He is buried in the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia along with his second wife, Dora Jean Dougherty. They were survived by their adult sons, David and Grant.

Author: Hailey LaRock