Gerald "Jerry" A. Kester, 64, was elevated peacefully from his wife of 41 years arms into the outstretched hands of Jesus while at home on Dec. 20, 2022, he smiled, said, 'I love you too,' and left his earthly body for a gloriously new one in heaven.
Jerry graduated from Fairfield High School and immediately joined the United States Navy where he proudly served for over nine years onboard the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), USS Acadia (AD 42), USS Prairie (AD 15) and at SWFPAC on Sub Base Bangor where he was assigned Ohio Class Operations and was a volunteer police reserve officer for the city of Poulsbo. Jerry was onboard the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) during the 1979 Iranian Hostage Conflict.
Jerry met his 'beautiful bride,' Jean in August 1981 and they were married in October 1981. As any couple, they had their ups and downs, but they made marriage look easy and you rarely saw one without the other one close by. Jerry once was quoted as saying, 'Why be married if you are going to have so many other things in life that take you away from home?' Jerry did have one love that took him away some week-ends and that was fishing with his son and grandchildren.
Jerry held several jobs as a civilian that included Dimension Cable in 1986 during its early days, as a Radiation Protection Technician traveling to outages for work in states like Vermont and Michigan. Jerry was hired on as a permanent 'house tech,' at Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station west of Phoenix where he retired early and returned to the cable industry working for Cox Communications in Phoenix until 2006 when he took his final job with Comcast in Aberdeen, WA. Jerry loved working in the Raymond and South Bend areas and said his customers always made his job easy.
Jerry was a great dad to his sons Jeremy and Joseph Rummerfield and Justin and Adam Kester, a loving husband to his wife Jean but his favorite title of all was the title of Papa to his 9 grandchildren: Jeremy Jr., Christina, Araya, Shyann, Alysha, Jonathan, Emerald, Jeanne and AJ and his 4 great-grandchildren: Sophia, Ivara, Ezra and Psylo. He always talked about traveling after his retirement to go see those family members that didn't live close.
As a Papa, he rarely missed a band concert, wrestling match, track meet or basketball game and there was always Dairy Queen afterwards. Jerry was a teacher of driving, car repairs, tire changes, RV repairs and any other thing the kids and grands asked him help for, Jerry just seemed to be able to fix anything and it was always better than the original when he was done. To his children and grandchildren, Jerry was larger than life itself.
Jesus, fishing and Harleys were what Jerry lived for. You could find him each morning sitting in his recliner with his never washed in over 40 years Navy coffee cup filled with dark roast coffee, reading his Bible and morning devotions followed by prayer and every night including his last, he wanted to be read his nightly devotional and pray. Jerry enjoyed both Centralia Community Church of God and Rochester Life Church and appreciated the love they showed he and Jean during this difficult time.
There are amazing but true fishing stories of Salmon literally jumping out of the water at Jerry's feet or into the boat when he, Justin and Shyann were fishing.
Jerry was an active member of the Olympia Light Riders Christian Motorcyclist Association and was up for riding whether it was a quick ice cream trip or a longer ride around the Puget Sound.
Jerry's most memorable ride that he wanted to do again was a thirteen day trip with Jean and his brother Kent to the motorcycle rally in Sturgis, South Dakota in 2018, he fell in love with the Black Hills and had hoped to retire there one day.
Three things stood out when you met Jerry, his infectious smile, his bushy mustache and his classic kindness which co-workers and friends described as: kind, easy going, dedicated, consistent, family man, loving husband, one of his dispatchers even said she wanted to 'clone Jerry,' he was just that genuine.
Jerry truly was a classic! He loved classic Rock 'N Roll, classic cars and even classic Lays potato chips, big bell jeans, old Harleys, mowing his lawn and naps in the afternoon.
Jerry would tell us not to cry, that he is in an amazing place, he is no longer hurting or frail, but strong and enjoying life and riding motorcycles with all his friends who welcomed him home. Jerry would tell you as he told those he loved that he was at peace with his Lord and Savior and ready to be greeted at heaven's gate.
The family cannot thank enough Team Santana at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Dr. Rockhill and the Harborview Gamma Knife Team, the UW Medical Center Neurosurgical doctors, nurses and residents, Radiant Care in Centralia and Providence Hospice, each of you gave us hope and each of you Jerry carried in his heart.
Jerry is survived by his sister Tina Kester, brothers Kent, Mike, Jim and Kevin Kester.
Jerry was pre-deceased in death by his parents, James and Thelma Kester and his younger brother Ron Kester.
There will be a memorial planned when the weather is dry and warm as Jerry disliked wet and cold with a military honor ceremony following to be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Jerry's favorite charities:
-Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Thoracic Clinic or Research
-Shriners Hospitals for Children
-Wounded Warriors Project
Or your own favorite charity.
There will not be a day when Jerry will not be missed.
Jerry graduated from Fairfield High School and immediately joined the United States Navy where he proudly served for over nine years onboard the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), USS Acadia (AD 42), USS Prairie (AD 15) and at SWFPAC on Sub Base Bangor where he was assigned Ohio Class Operations and was a volunteer police reserve officer for the city of Poulsbo. Jerry was onboard the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) during the 1979 Iranian Hostage Conflict.
Jerry met his 'beautiful bride,' Jean in August 1981 and they were married in October 1981. As any couple, they had their ups and downs, but they made marriage look easy and you rarely saw one without the other one close by. Jerry once was quoted as saying, 'Why be married if you are going to have so many other things in life that take you away from home?' Jerry did have one love that took him away some week-ends and that was fishing with his son and grandchildren.
Jerry held several jobs as a civilian that included Dimension Cable in 1986 during its early days, as a Radiation Protection Technician traveling to outages for work in states like Vermont and Michigan. Jerry was hired on as a permanent 'house tech,' at Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station west of Phoenix where he retired early and returned to the cable industry working for Cox Communications in Phoenix until 2006 when he took his final job with Comcast in Aberdeen, WA. Jerry loved working in the Raymond and South Bend areas and said his customers always made his job easy.
Jerry was a great dad to his sons Jeremy and Joseph Rummerfield and Justin and Adam Kester, a loving husband to his wife Jean but his favorite title of all was the title of Papa to his 9 grandchildren: Jeremy Jr., Christina, Araya, Shyann, Alysha, Jonathan, Emerald, Jeanne and AJ and his 4 great-grandchildren: Sophia, Ivara, Ezra and Psylo. He always talked about traveling after his retirement to go see those family members that didn't live close.
As a Papa, he rarely missed a band concert, wrestling match, track meet or basketball game and there was always Dairy Queen afterwards. Jerry was a teacher of driving, car repairs, tire changes, RV repairs and any other thing the kids and grands asked him help for, Jerry just seemed to be able to fix anything and it was always better than the original when he was done. To his children and grandchildren, Jerry was larger than life itself.
Jesus, fishing and Harleys were what Jerry lived for. You could find him each morning sitting in his recliner with his never washed in over 40 years Navy coffee cup filled with dark roast coffee, reading his Bible and morning devotions followed by prayer and every night including his last, he wanted to be read his nightly devotional and pray. Jerry enjoyed both Centralia Community Church of God and Rochester Life Church and appreciated the love they showed he and Jean during this difficult time.
There are amazing but true fishing stories of Salmon literally jumping out of the water at Jerry's feet or into the boat when he, Justin and Shyann were fishing.
Jerry was an active member of the Olympia Light Riders Christian Motorcyclist Association and was up for riding whether it was a quick ice cream trip or a longer ride around the Puget Sound.
Jerry's most memorable ride that he wanted to do again was a thirteen day trip with Jean and his brother Kent to the motorcycle rally in Sturgis, South Dakota in 2018, he fell in love with the Black Hills and had hoped to retire there one day.
Three things stood out when you met Jerry, his infectious smile, his bushy mustache and his classic kindness which co-workers and friends described as: kind, easy going, dedicated, consistent, family man, loving husband, one of his dispatchers even said she wanted to 'clone Jerry,' he was just that genuine.
Jerry truly was a classic! He loved classic Rock 'N Roll, classic cars and even classic Lays potato chips, big bell jeans, old Harleys, mowing his lawn and naps in the afternoon.
Jerry would tell us not to cry, that he is in an amazing place, he is no longer hurting or frail, but strong and enjoying life and riding motorcycles with all his friends who welcomed him home. Jerry would tell you as he told those he loved that he was at peace with his Lord and Savior and ready to be greeted at heaven's gate.
The family cannot thank enough Team Santana at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Dr. Rockhill and the Harborview Gamma Knife Team, the UW Medical Center Neurosurgical doctors, nurses and residents, Radiant Care in Centralia and Providence Hospice, each of you gave us hope and each of you Jerry carried in his heart.
Jerry is survived by his sister Tina Kester, brothers Kent, Mike, Jim and Kevin Kester.
Jerry was pre-deceased in death by his parents, James and Thelma Kester and his younger brother Ron Kester.
There will be a memorial planned when the weather is dry and warm as Jerry disliked wet and cold with a military honor ceremony following to be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Jerry's favorite charities:
-Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Thoracic Clinic or Research
-Shriners Hospitals for Children
-Wounded Warriors Project
Or your own favorite charity.
There will not be a day when Jerry will not be missed.
Gerald "Jerry" A. Kester, 64, was elevated peacefully from his wife of 41 years arms into the outstretched hands of Jesus while at home on Dec. 20, 2022, he smiled, said, 'I love you too,' and left his earthly body for a gloriously new one in heaven.
Jerry graduated from Fairfield High School and immediately joined the United States Navy where he proudly served for over nine years onboard the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), USS Acadia (AD 42), USS Prairie (AD 15) and at SWFPAC on Sub Base Bangor where he was assigned Ohio Class Operations and was a volunteer police reserve officer for the city of Poulsbo. Jerry was onboard the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) during the 1979 Iranian Hostage Conflict.
Jerry met his 'beautiful bride,' Jean in August 1981 and they were married in October 1981. As any couple, they had their ups and downs, but they made marriage look easy and you rarely saw one without the other one close by. Jerry once was quoted as saying, 'Why be married if you are going to have so many other things in life that take you away from home?' Jerry did have one love that took him away some week-ends and that was fishing with his son and grandchildren.
Jerry held several jobs as a civilian that included Dimension Cable in 1986 during its early days, as a Radiation Protection Technician traveling to outages for work in states like Vermont and Michigan. Jerry was hired on as a permanent 'house tech,' at Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station west of Phoenix where he retired early and returned to the cable industry working for Cox Communications in Phoenix until 2006 when he took his final job with Comcast in Aberdeen, WA. Jerry loved working in the Raymond and South Bend areas and said his customers always made his job easy.
Jerry was a great dad to his sons Jeremy and Joseph Rummerfield and Justin and Adam Kester, a loving husband to his wife Jean but his favorite title of all was the title of Papa to his 9 grandchildren: Jeremy Jr., Christina, Araya, Shyann, Alysha, Jonathan, Emerald, Jeanne and AJ and his 4 great-grandchildren: Sophia, Ivara, Ezra and Psylo. He always talked about traveling after his retirement to go see those family members that didn't live close.
As a Papa, he rarely missed a band concert, wrestling match, track meet or basketball game and there was always Dairy Queen afterwards. Jerry was a teacher of driving, car repairs, tire changes, RV repairs and any other thing the kids and grands asked him help for, Jerry just seemed to be able to fix anything and it was always better than the original when he was done. To his children and grandchildren, Jerry was larger than life itself.
Jesus, fishing and Harleys were what Jerry lived for. You could find him each morning sitting in his recliner with his never washed in over 40 years Navy coffee cup filled with dark roast coffee, reading his Bible and morning devotions followed by prayer and every night including his last, he wanted to be read his nightly devotional and pray. Jerry enjoyed both Centralia Community Church of God and Rochester Life Church and appreciated the love they showed he and Jean during this difficult time.
There are amazing but true fishing stories of Salmon literally jumping out of the water at Jerry's feet or into the boat when he, Justin and Shyann were fishing.
Jerry was an active member of the Olympia Light Riders Christian Motorcyclist Association and was up for riding whether it was a quick ice cream trip or a longer ride around the Puget Sound.
Jerry's most memorable ride that he wanted to do again was a thirteen day trip with Jean and his brother Kent to the motorcycle rally in Sturgis, South Dakota in 2018, he fell in love with the Black Hills and had hoped to retire there one day.
Three things stood out when you met Jerry, his infectious smile, his bushy mustache and his classic kindness which co-workers and friends described as: kind, easy going, dedicated, consistent, family man, loving husband, one of his dispatchers even said she wanted to 'clone Jerry,' he was just that genuine.
Jerry truly was a classic! He loved classic Rock 'N Roll, classic cars and even classic Lays potato chips, big bell jeans, old Harleys, mowing his lawn and naps in the afternoon.
Jerry would tell us not to cry, that he is in an amazing place, he is no longer hurting or frail, but strong and enjoying life and riding motorcycles with all his friends who welcomed him home. Jerry would tell you as he told those he loved that he was at peace with his Lord and Savior and ready to be greeted at heaven's gate.
The family cannot thank enough Team Santana at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Dr. Rockhill and the Harborview Gamma Knife Team, the UW Medical Center Neurosurgical doctors, nurses and residents, Radiant Care in Centralia and Providence Hospice, each of you gave us hope and each of you Jerry carried in his heart.
Jerry is survived by his sister Tina Kester, brothers Kent, Mike, Jim and Kevin Kester.
Jerry was pre-deceased in death by his parents, James and Thelma Kester and his younger brother Ron Kester.
There will be a memorial planned when the weather is dry and warm as Jerry disliked wet and cold with a military honor ceremony following to be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Jerry's favorite charities:
-Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Thoracic Clinic or Research
-Shriners Hospitals for Children
-Wounded Warriors Project
Or your own favorite charity.
There will not be a day when Jerry will not be missed.
Jerry graduated from Fairfield High School and immediately joined the United States Navy where he proudly served for over nine years onboard the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), USS Acadia (AD 42), USS Prairie (AD 15) and at SWFPAC on Sub Base Bangor where he was assigned Ohio Class Operations and was a volunteer police reserve officer for the city of Poulsbo. Jerry was onboard the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) during the 1979 Iranian Hostage Conflict.
Jerry met his 'beautiful bride,' Jean in August 1981 and they were married in October 1981. As any couple, they had their ups and downs, but they made marriage look easy and you rarely saw one without the other one close by. Jerry once was quoted as saying, 'Why be married if you are going to have so many other things in life that take you away from home?' Jerry did have one love that took him away some week-ends and that was fishing with his son and grandchildren.
Jerry held several jobs as a civilian that included Dimension Cable in 1986 during its early days, as a Radiation Protection Technician traveling to outages for work in states like Vermont and Michigan. Jerry was hired on as a permanent 'house tech,' at Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station west of Phoenix where he retired early and returned to the cable industry working for Cox Communications in Phoenix until 2006 when he took his final job with Comcast in Aberdeen, WA. Jerry loved working in the Raymond and South Bend areas and said his customers always made his job easy.
Jerry was a great dad to his sons Jeremy and Joseph Rummerfield and Justin and Adam Kester, a loving husband to his wife Jean but his favorite title of all was the title of Papa to his 9 grandchildren: Jeremy Jr., Christina, Araya, Shyann, Alysha, Jonathan, Emerald, Jeanne and AJ and his 4 great-grandchildren: Sophia, Ivara, Ezra and Psylo. He always talked about traveling after his retirement to go see those family members that didn't live close.
As a Papa, he rarely missed a band concert, wrestling match, track meet or basketball game and there was always Dairy Queen afterwards. Jerry was a teacher of driving, car repairs, tire changes, RV repairs and any other thing the kids and grands asked him help for, Jerry just seemed to be able to fix anything and it was always better than the original when he was done. To his children and grandchildren, Jerry was larger than life itself.
Jesus, fishing and Harleys were what Jerry lived for. You could find him each morning sitting in his recliner with his never washed in over 40 years Navy coffee cup filled with dark roast coffee, reading his Bible and morning devotions followed by prayer and every night including his last, he wanted to be read his nightly devotional and pray. Jerry enjoyed both Centralia Community Church of God and Rochester Life Church and appreciated the love they showed he and Jean during this difficult time.
There are amazing but true fishing stories of Salmon literally jumping out of the water at Jerry's feet or into the boat when he, Justin and Shyann were fishing.
Jerry was an active member of the Olympia Light Riders Christian Motorcyclist Association and was up for riding whether it was a quick ice cream trip or a longer ride around the Puget Sound.
Jerry's most memorable ride that he wanted to do again was a thirteen day trip with Jean and his brother Kent to the motorcycle rally in Sturgis, South Dakota in 2018, he fell in love with the Black Hills and had hoped to retire there one day.
Three things stood out when you met Jerry, his infectious smile, his bushy mustache and his classic kindness which co-workers and friends described as: kind, easy going, dedicated, consistent, family man, loving husband, one of his dispatchers even said she wanted to 'clone Jerry,' he was just that genuine.
Jerry truly was a classic! He loved classic Rock 'N Roll, classic cars and even classic Lays potato chips, big bell jeans, old Harleys, mowing his lawn and naps in the afternoon.
Jerry would tell us not to cry, that he is in an amazing place, he is no longer hurting or frail, but strong and enjoying life and riding motorcycles with all his friends who welcomed him home. Jerry would tell you as he told those he loved that he was at peace with his Lord and Savior and ready to be greeted at heaven's gate.
The family cannot thank enough Team Santana at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Dr. Rockhill and the Harborview Gamma Knife Team, the UW Medical Center Neurosurgical doctors, nurses and residents, Radiant Care in Centralia and Providence Hospice, each of you gave us hope and each of you Jerry carried in his heart.
Jerry is survived by his sister Tina Kester, brothers Kent, Mike, Jim and Kevin Kester.
Jerry was pre-deceased in death by his parents, James and Thelma Kester and his younger brother Ron Kester.
There will be a memorial planned when the weather is dry and warm as Jerry disliked wet and cold with a military honor ceremony following to be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Jerry's favorite charities:
-Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Thoracic Clinic or Research
-Shriners Hospitals for Children
-Wounded Warriors Project
Or your own favorite charity.
There will not be a day when Jerry will not be missed.
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