Rev. Leslie “Les” “Paco” Francis Ingram, Jr.
Les was the second son of Rev. Leslie and Jane Jenkins Ingram who were a part of the Metropolitan Church Association (MCA). His parents were very much a team that put this church association and God’s work first in their lives, and they expected their seven sons to do the same. Les loved the Lord and fit right in with his parents’ goals. The Ingram family not only wanted to be missionary focused, but to use their talents to help people with their needs. Each of the seven Ingram sons went on to have careers to help others.
Les was born on Nov. 19, 1922 in Stockbridge, Michigan. His family moved several times starting churches for the MCA and doing mission work. Eventually, they moved to Denver, Colorado, where his parents were missionaries to the Mexican Americans who lived on the west side of Denver. What a life that was growing up in Denver in a very tough part of town, his youngest brother, Lowell, said.
World War II started and two of Les’ brothers, Bill and Wes, went into the service and served as medics during the War. Les was deaf in one ear from a car accident as a child, so he was not eligible to go.
In the early 1940s, Les attended a Bible school in Waukesha, Wisconsin, and spent his next ten years as a pastor and teacher. In 1950-1951, Les started The Maples – a Christian high school at the beautiful, leased Maytag estate. Some of his younger brothers attended this school, and they never forgot the beautiful surroundings and their experiences there.
Les fell in love and married Phyllis Bitzer, a teacher at The Maples; they married in 1951. Les and Phyllis were a beautiful couple and worked together as a team all their lives.
As time went on, many of the church members, including Les and his parents, became interested in creating a sister organization whose principles were more flexible than the MCA. Les was a leader in creating this new organization. His parents went on to start a mission near Gallup, New Mexico, called Pine Tree Mission which was supported by the Navajos and by donations and work skills from Christian people who wanted to help. Les helped his parents with their mission, and he also pastored several churches himself until 1976.
Les’ life changed when he decided to use even more of his talents and abilities to help others after he learned about the terrible 1976 earthquake in Guatemala. Between 1976-1981, Les worked in Guatemala on a rebuilding project after this earthquake, and he did other community development projects with MAP International. In 1981 to 1984, he was in the Dominican Republic doing school projects with Compassion International. Between 1984-1994, he was in Phoenix, Arizona, doing school projects in Native American schools with Compassion International.
In 1994 to 1999, Les and Phyllis lived in Green Valley, Arizona, and in 1999, they moved to Houston, Texas, to live near his youngest daughter and her family. This was a really a great move as they were then able to be near their daughter and her family, including two beautiful, loving grandchildren who came to visit with them daily.
During these years, Les was a director of Mexico mission work with Ameritribes. He did much work with a team that went into remote Mexican villages to help prevent disease by developing sanitation guidelines, bring in clean water, lay pipe, etc. Les did anything he could to help these Spanish speaking people that he loved so much. If they asked him questions about his religion, he was very happy to tell them about his Lord and tell them the gospel message about God’s love and forgiveness. The people loved him and called him “Paco,” a nickname that he liked very much. The “Paco” Spanish nickname meant “Francisco” or “Francis,” which was Les’ middle name.
In 2003, Leslie retired from Ameritribes and spent his time teaching Sunday school at a Spanish speaking church, held summer VBS for Spanish speaking children, and he volunteered as a storyteller at the Post Elementary School in Houston, Texas. He also began writing his life stories, and many of these can be found in his blog at https://lesingram.wordpress.com/ .
Les’ beloved Phyllis died on March 11, 2005 in Houston, Texas, and he died on May 11, 2016 in Houston, Texas. Their ashes were buried in the Pine Tree Cemetery beside Les’ parents’ graves and his brothers’ ashes. Les and Phyllis were both dearly loved and are missed by all who knew them.
By Ruth Ingram, 9-30-2020
Les was the second son of Rev. Leslie and Jane Jenkins Ingram who were a part of the Metropolitan Church Association (MCA). His parents were very much a team that put this church association and God’s work first in their lives, and they expected their seven sons to do the same. Les loved the Lord and fit right in with his parents’ goals. The Ingram family not only wanted to be missionary focused, but to use their talents to help people with their needs. Each of the seven Ingram sons went on to have careers to help others.
Les was born on Nov. 19, 1922 in Stockbridge, Michigan. His family moved several times starting churches for the MCA and doing mission work. Eventually, they moved to Denver, Colorado, where his parents were missionaries to the Mexican Americans who lived on the west side of Denver. What a life that was growing up in Denver in a very tough part of town, his youngest brother, Lowell, said.
World War II started and two of Les’ brothers, Bill and Wes, went into the service and served as medics during the War. Les was deaf in one ear from a car accident as a child, so he was not eligible to go.
In the early 1940s, Les attended a Bible school in Waukesha, Wisconsin, and spent his next ten years as a pastor and teacher. In 1950-1951, Les started The Maples – a Christian high school at the beautiful, leased Maytag estate. Some of his younger brothers attended this school, and they never forgot the beautiful surroundings and their experiences there.
Les fell in love and married Phyllis Bitzer, a teacher at The Maples; they married in 1951. Les and Phyllis were a beautiful couple and worked together as a team all their lives.
As time went on, many of the church members, including Les and his parents, became interested in creating a sister organization whose principles were more flexible than the MCA. Les was a leader in creating this new organization. His parents went on to start a mission near Gallup, New Mexico, called Pine Tree Mission which was supported by the Navajos and by donations and work skills from Christian people who wanted to help. Les helped his parents with their mission, and he also pastored several churches himself until 1976.
Les’ life changed when he decided to use even more of his talents and abilities to help others after he learned about the terrible 1976 earthquake in Guatemala. Between 1976-1981, Les worked in Guatemala on a rebuilding project after this earthquake, and he did other community development projects with MAP International. In 1981 to 1984, he was in the Dominican Republic doing school projects with Compassion International. Between 1984-1994, he was in Phoenix, Arizona, doing school projects in Native American schools with Compassion International.
In 1994 to 1999, Les and Phyllis lived in Green Valley, Arizona, and in 1999, they moved to Houston, Texas, to live near his youngest daughter and her family. This was a really a great move as they were then able to be near their daughter and her family, including two beautiful, loving grandchildren who came to visit with them daily.
During these years, Les was a director of Mexico mission work with Ameritribes. He did much work with a team that went into remote Mexican villages to help prevent disease by developing sanitation guidelines, bring in clean water, lay pipe, etc. Les did anything he could to help these Spanish speaking people that he loved so much. If they asked him questions about his religion, he was very happy to tell them about his Lord and tell them the gospel message about God’s love and forgiveness. The people loved him and called him “Paco,” a nickname that he liked very much. The “Paco” Spanish nickname meant “Francisco” or “Francis,” which was Les’ middle name.
In 2003, Leslie retired from Ameritribes and spent his time teaching Sunday school at a Spanish speaking church, held summer VBS for Spanish speaking children, and he volunteered as a storyteller at the Post Elementary School in Houston, Texas. He also began writing his life stories, and many of these can be found in his blog at https://lesingram.wordpress.com/ .
Les’ beloved Phyllis died on March 11, 2005 in Houston, Texas, and he died on May 11, 2016 in Houston, Texas. Their ashes were buried in the Pine Tree Cemetery beside Les’ parents’ graves and his brothers’ ashes. Les and Phyllis were both dearly loved and are missed by all who knew them.
By Ruth Ingram, 9-30-2020
Rev. Leslie “Les” “Paco” Francis Ingram, Jr.
Les was the second son of Rev. Leslie and Jane Jenkins Ingram who were a part of the Metropolitan Church Association (MCA). His parents were very much a team that put this church association and God’s work first in their lives, and they expected their seven sons to do the same. Les loved the Lord and fit right in with his parents’ goals. The Ingram family not only wanted to be missionary focused, but to use their talents to help people with their needs. Each of the seven Ingram sons went on to have careers to help others.
Les was born on Nov. 19, 1922 in Stockbridge, Michigan. His family moved several times starting churches for the MCA and doing mission work. Eventually, they moved to Denver, Colorado, where his parents were missionaries to the Mexican Americans who lived on the west side of Denver. What a life that was growing up in Denver in a very tough part of town, his youngest brother, Lowell, said.
World War II started and two of Les’ brothers, Bill and Wes, went into the service and served as medics during the War. Les was deaf in one ear from a car accident as a child, so he was not eligible to go.
In the early 1940s, Les attended a Bible school in Waukesha, Wisconsin, and spent his next ten years as a pastor and teacher. In 1950-1951, Les started The Maples – a Christian high school at the beautiful, leased Maytag estate. Some of his younger brothers attended this school, and they never forgot the beautiful surroundings and their experiences there.
Les fell in love and married Phyllis Bitzer, a teacher at The Maples; they married in 1951. Les and Phyllis were a beautiful couple and worked together as a team all their lives.
As time went on, many of the church members, including Les and his parents, became interested in creating a sister organization whose principles were more flexible than the MCA. Les was a leader in creating this new organization. His parents went on to start a mission near Gallup, New Mexico, called Pine Tree Mission which was supported by the Navajos and by donations and work skills from Christian people who wanted to help. Les helped his parents with their mission, and he also pastored several churches himself until 1976.
Les’ life changed when he decided to use even more of his talents and abilities to help others after he learned about the terrible 1976 earthquake in Guatemala. Between 1976-1981, Les worked in Guatemala on a rebuilding project after this earthquake, and he did other community development projects with MAP International. In 1981 to 1984, he was in the Dominican Republic doing school projects with Compassion International. Between 1984-1994, he was in Phoenix, Arizona, doing school projects in Native American schools with Compassion International.
In 1994 to 1999, Les and Phyllis lived in Green Valley, Arizona, and in 1999, they moved to Houston, Texas, to live near his youngest daughter and her family. This was a really a great move as they were then able to be near their daughter and her family, including two beautiful, loving grandchildren who came to visit with them daily.
During these years, Les was a director of Mexico mission work with Ameritribes. He did much work with a team that went into remote Mexican villages to help prevent disease by developing sanitation guidelines, bring in clean water, lay pipe, etc. Les did anything he could to help these Spanish speaking people that he loved so much. If they asked him questions about his religion, he was very happy to tell them about his Lord and tell them the gospel message about God’s love and forgiveness. The people loved him and called him “Paco,” a nickname that he liked very much. The “Paco” Spanish nickname meant “Francisco” or “Francis,” which was Les’ middle name.
In 2003, Leslie retired from Ameritribes and spent his time teaching Sunday school at a Spanish speaking church, held summer VBS for Spanish speaking children, and he volunteered as a storyteller at the Post Elementary School in Houston, Texas. He also began writing his life stories, and many of these can be found in his blog at https://lesingram.wordpress.com/ .
Les’ beloved Phyllis died on March 11, 2005 in Houston, Texas, and he died on May 11, 2016 in Houston, Texas. Their ashes were buried in the Pine Tree Cemetery beside Les’ parents’ graves and his brothers’ ashes. Les and Phyllis were both dearly loved and are missed by all who knew them.
By Ruth Ingram, 9-30-2020
Les was the second son of Rev. Leslie and Jane Jenkins Ingram who were a part of the Metropolitan Church Association (MCA). His parents were very much a team that put this church association and God’s work first in their lives, and they expected their seven sons to do the same. Les loved the Lord and fit right in with his parents’ goals. The Ingram family not only wanted to be missionary focused, but to use their talents to help people with their needs. Each of the seven Ingram sons went on to have careers to help others.
Les was born on Nov. 19, 1922 in Stockbridge, Michigan. His family moved several times starting churches for the MCA and doing mission work. Eventually, they moved to Denver, Colorado, where his parents were missionaries to the Mexican Americans who lived on the west side of Denver. What a life that was growing up in Denver in a very tough part of town, his youngest brother, Lowell, said.
World War II started and two of Les’ brothers, Bill and Wes, went into the service and served as medics during the War. Les was deaf in one ear from a car accident as a child, so he was not eligible to go.
In the early 1940s, Les attended a Bible school in Waukesha, Wisconsin, and spent his next ten years as a pastor and teacher. In 1950-1951, Les started The Maples – a Christian high school at the beautiful, leased Maytag estate. Some of his younger brothers attended this school, and they never forgot the beautiful surroundings and their experiences there.
Les fell in love and married Phyllis Bitzer, a teacher at The Maples; they married in 1951. Les and Phyllis were a beautiful couple and worked together as a team all their lives.
As time went on, many of the church members, including Les and his parents, became interested in creating a sister organization whose principles were more flexible than the MCA. Les was a leader in creating this new organization. His parents went on to start a mission near Gallup, New Mexico, called Pine Tree Mission which was supported by the Navajos and by donations and work skills from Christian people who wanted to help. Les helped his parents with their mission, and he also pastored several churches himself until 1976.
Les’ life changed when he decided to use even more of his talents and abilities to help others after he learned about the terrible 1976 earthquake in Guatemala. Between 1976-1981, Les worked in Guatemala on a rebuilding project after this earthquake, and he did other community development projects with MAP International. In 1981 to 1984, he was in the Dominican Republic doing school projects with Compassion International. Between 1984-1994, he was in Phoenix, Arizona, doing school projects in Native American schools with Compassion International.
In 1994 to 1999, Les and Phyllis lived in Green Valley, Arizona, and in 1999, they moved to Houston, Texas, to live near his youngest daughter and her family. This was a really a great move as they were then able to be near their daughter and her family, including two beautiful, loving grandchildren who came to visit with them daily.
During these years, Les was a director of Mexico mission work with Ameritribes. He did much work with a team that went into remote Mexican villages to help prevent disease by developing sanitation guidelines, bring in clean water, lay pipe, etc. Les did anything he could to help these Spanish speaking people that he loved so much. If they asked him questions about his religion, he was very happy to tell them about his Lord and tell them the gospel message about God’s love and forgiveness. The people loved him and called him “Paco,” a nickname that he liked very much. The “Paco” Spanish nickname meant “Francisco” or “Francis,” which was Les’ middle name.
In 2003, Leslie retired from Ameritribes and spent his time teaching Sunday school at a Spanish speaking church, held summer VBS for Spanish speaking children, and he volunteered as a storyteller at the Post Elementary School in Houston, Texas. He also began writing his life stories, and many of these can be found in his blog at https://lesingram.wordpress.com/ .
Les’ beloved Phyllis died on March 11, 2005 in Houston, Texas, and he died on May 11, 2016 in Houston, Texas. Their ashes were buried in the Pine Tree Cemetery beside Les’ parents’ graves and his brothers’ ashes. Les and Phyllis were both dearly loved and are missed by all who knew them.
By Ruth Ingram, 9-30-2020
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