Joseph C. Kester Jr.

JOSEPH C. KESTER JR. STAUNTON, VA On Saturday, August 22, 2015, Joseph C. Kester Jr. of 251 Eureka Mill Road (Barren Ridge) Staunton, peacefully departed this life with his family by his side, to be united with his loving wife and his Savior Jesus Christ. Born May 19, 1922 in Matoaka, WV, he was the son of Genetta (Bailey) and Josiah Chapman Kester. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family. Jr. moved to Augusta County prior to enlisting in the Army. He served in World War II in the Pacific earning the Bronze Star. Forty four years later, he unknowingly purchased the same rifle he was issued, carried and turned in when he left Korea in 1945. Jr. retired from A&P as a meat cutter, then served as a security guard at the Staunton Mall for 29 years and finally retired at the age of 90 to care for his wife. He was an avid fisherman who received numerous trophy fish certificates, the last one being in May 2015 at age 93. He was a lifelong hunter, who taught his sons and grandsons ethical sportsmanship. He treasured his out-of-state hunting trips with them, the last one being in April 2015 when he harvested a "Rio Grande" turkey in Texas. At age 88, he completed the "Grand Slam" which consists of the four sub species of turkeys in the U.S. He also enjoyed the family cabin in Highland County where he harvested his last deer in November 2014. Jr. lived life to the fullest and was a very active hunter and fisherman even into the last year of his life. He looked forward to and greatly enjoyed the annual family trip to Canaan Valley, WV. He was preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, Charlene Quick Kester; six brothers, Ted, Sam, James, Dee, Carl and Quentin; and three sisters, Ada, Belva and Etta. Surviving are two sons and daughters-in-law, Bobby and Barbara and Jesse and Midge; one granddaughter, Susan Layman; three grandsons, Neil and wife, Jennifer, Andy and wife, Ashleigh, and Ryan Kester; two great granddaughters, Rachel and Jessica Layman; two great grandsons, Titus and Caleb Kester; and many loving nieces and nephews. Also surviving are special friends and caregivers, Brenda Smith and Dot Woodzell and final loving caregiver, Shirley Thorne Bays. A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 25, 2015 in Barren Ridge Church of the Brethren by the Rev. Galen Combs. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Active pallbearers will be grandsons Neil, Andy and Ryan and special friends, Homer Moats, Tom Salkeld, and Tom Glover. Honorary pallbearers will be Eddie Carter, Dolly Troutman, Rupen Shah, David Killingsworth, Sharon Altizer, Debbie Salkeld, Eddie Back, Tony and Doris Lowery, Eddie Campbell, Dr. William Jones and Dr. Daniel Wachspress. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Monday, August 24, 2015 in Barren Ridge Church of the Brethren. In his own words, "I've been blessed all my life and I have the best family in the whole world". He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. The family wishes to thank Hospice of the Shenandoah for their care and in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to them at P.O. Box 215, Fishersville, VA 22939. Henry Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.