Eugene Kester

Eugene Kester, 89, of Jackson passed away Friday, April 19, 2024, at Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau.

Eugene Kester

Eugene was born Oct. 12, 1934, in Friedheim to Herman Rudolph and Augusta Minnie Ahrens Kester. He and Ruth Myers were married Dec. 11, 1954, at New Bethel Baptist Church in Pocahontas. Ruth passed away Dec. 29, 2011.

He grew up in Friedheim and graduated from Jackson High School, before enlisting in the U.S. Army on March 5, 1954. After his service, Eugene returned to the area and worked at the shoe factory for a while before moving to St. Louis and embarking on a career with General Motors, building Corvettes at the St. Louis plant. After retirement, he moved back to the area and became a dedicated member of Cape County Cowboy Church, ensuring that his grandchildren and great-grandchildren all had the opportunity to attend church with him. He loved taking them fishing and loved his vegetable garden.

Survivors include his two daughters, Doris (Ray) Harlow of Alton, Illinois, and Diane Pair of Cape Girardeau; four grandchildren, Jeromy Pair, Christy Duvall, Jessica Conway-Cortes and Michael Pair; and five great-grandchildren.

He is also survived by three brothers, Leroy Kester of Jackson, Bobby Kester of Friedheim and Mike (Joyce) Kester of Sedgewickville; and three sisters, Georgia Lee Bazzell, Susan (Richard) Engel of Souix Falls, South Dakota, and Carolyn (Jerry) Dockins of Jackson.

In addition to his wife, Eugene was preceded in death by a brother, Richard Kester, and a sister, Marie Lange.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time Saturday, April 27, at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

The funeral will follow at noon at the funeral home, with Denah Siebert officiating. Burial, with full military honors, will be at New Bethel Baptist Church near Pocahontas.

The family requests memorials be made in Eugene’s name to the Missouri Veterans Home.

Online condolences can be made by accessing www.mccombsfuneral home.com.