Eugene Herman Kester

Eugene Kester, 89, of Jackson passed away Friday, April 19, 2024, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau. Eugene was born in Friedheim, MO, on October 12, 1934, to the late Herman Rudolph and Augusta Minnie Ahrens Kester. He and Ruth Myers were married on December 11, 1954, at the New Bethel Baptist Church in Pocahontas, MO. Ruth passed away December 29, 2011. He grew up in Friedheim and graduated from Jackson High before enlisting in the Army on the 5th of March 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 the Cape County Cowboy Church. Ensuring that is grand-children 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, IL and Diane Pair of Cape Girardeau, four grandchildren, Jeromy Pair, Christy Duvall, Jessica Conway-Cortes, and Michael Pair as well as five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by three brothers, Leroy Kester of Jackson, Bobby Kester of Friedheim, Mike (Joyce) Kester of Sedgewickville, MO, and three sisters, Georgia Lee Bazzell, Susan (Richard) Engel of Souix Falls, SD and Carolyn (Jerry) Dockins of Jackson. In addition to his wife, he was preceded by a brother Richard Kester and a sister Marie Lange. Visitation will be on Saturday from 10 till service time at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson. The funeral service with be at 12 noon at the funeral home with Denah Siebert officiating. Burial will take place at the New Bethel Baptist Church near Pocahontas with full military honors. The family requests that memorials be made in Eugene's name to the Missouri Veterans Home. Online condolences can be made by accessing mccombsfuneralhom.com.

Missouri Veterans Home of Cape Girardeau
2400 Veterans Memorial Drive, Cape Girardeau MO 63701
Tel: 1-573-290-5870
Web: https://mvc.dps.mo.gov/homes/capegirardeau.php