COURIER JOURNAL OBITUARY – 04/27/2006
HESTER - Herbert Ray, 86, of Louisville, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, April 25, 2006, at Norton Audubon Hospital. Mr. Hester was born May 11, 1919, in Brownsville, Edmondson Co., KY, and lived most of his 86 years in Louisville. Mr. Hester was a Baptist and a member of Gethsemane Baptist Church. He was an Army veteran of World War II, having served with the 501 Army, 218th Battalion, Battery D. Company until the war with Germany ended. He then transferred to 415th Evac. Ordinance attached to the 4th Army for a total of four years of service. Mr. Hester played the guitar and sang in the USO shows, where he was to meet a special young lady named "Eulala." He was a member of Suburban Lodge #740 F&AM, was a charter member of Okolona VFW Post #8639, and was commissioned a Kentucky Colonel by Gov. Bert T. Combs on the 17th of September, 1963. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of more than 62 years, Eulala Burleson Hester, who passed away March 27, 2006. Also preceded by his parents, John William & Frances Elizabeth Childress Hester; two brothers, Hubert Hester and Hershel Hester; and two infant sisters, Margie & Lorene Hester. Mr. Hester is survived by daughters and sons: Rona Raizor (Tony) of Cecilia, Judy Medeiros & her companion (Jimmy Parrish) of Boston, KY, Karen Davidson & her companion (Jerry Cox) of Prospect, Dennis Hester (Barbara) of Shepherdsville and David Hester (Jane) of Louisville; 11 grandchildren, Bobby Raizor (Shirley), Glenn Raizor (Paula), Tracy Wheatley (Dwayne), Tammy Raizor, Pam Leonard (Greg), Jerad Davidson & his fiancée (Shanna), Brian Hester (Roni), Lisa Medeiros, Josh Hester, Justin Medeiros and Dava Hester; 11 great-grandchildren; and a host of step-grandchildren. He is also survived by brothers and sisters, Jay Hester (Joann), Lewis Hester (Pat), Kerrin Hester (Billie), Gene Hester (Millie), Emma Murray, Evelyn Wacker (Leonard), Virginia Sanders and Carolyn Moore; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Mr. Hester was a member of America's "Greatest Generation" and will be sadly missed by all. Services for Mr. Hester will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at Schoppenhorst, Underwood & Brooks, Preston Hwy. at Brooks Rd., with interment in Brookland Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1-8 p.m. Friday and after 9 a.m. Saturday at Schoppenhorst. There will be a Masonic service at 7 p.m. Friday.