Larry Kester's Obituary
Mr. Larry David Kester, 84, longtime resident of Gainesville, Florida, died Monday, October 7, 2024, in the E.T. York Hospice Care Center, following a long illness.
Mr. Kester was born in Salem, Illinois on July 12, 1940, to the late Moran Eugene and Ruth Virginia Kester. After graduating high school, he proudly joined the U. S. Air Force. Following his enlistment he came to Gainesville, beginning a long career in the paint/wallpaper business, first working for Harris Paint Co. in Gainesville and for a time living and working in West Palm Beach, before returning to Gainesville to work for many years as a painter/wall paperer for Shands Hospital until his retirement. Mr. Kester was a longtime member of the Pentecostals of Gainesville, serving in the bus ministry and as a Sunday school teacher.
He was preceded in death by one sister, Donna and by his son Derek in 2018.
Mr. Kester is survived by his wife of 57 years, Beverly Grace Wright Kester; one son, Craig (Dawn) Kester, of Elkin, North Carolina; five grandchildren, Kristopher Kester, Brandi Kester, Kimberly Kester, Austin Kester and Cierra Kester; five great grandchildren also survive.
Funeral services will be held on Sunday, October 13, 2024, at 6:00 P M., at the Pentecostals of Gainesville, 8105 NW 23rd Avenue, Gainesville, with Pastor Jimmy Toney, officiating. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service, beginning at 5:00 P M. at the church. Interment will be held on Monday, October l4, 2024, at 2:00 P. M., in the Evergreen Cemetery Gainesville.
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