Robert Hester

Robert Wayne Hester, age 98, a loving husband for 72 years, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, died peacefully in his sleep on Monday, September 12, 2016. Bob was born on August 3, 1918 in Los Angeles, California, one of five children of Harry Earle Hester and Mary Ellen Duffy Hester. He attended UCLA and joined Shell Oil Company in 1940. He met his wife E. Jean Wood at Shell and they married on July 3, 1944. He was predeceased by his wife, Jean, less than five months before his death. They had three children: Jeri Lee, Wayne Robert and John Wood Hester.

During WWII, Bob joined the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1942. He became a pilot and instructor of B-17 and B-29 heavy bombers. After the war, he returned to Shell in 1946 and took assignments in Los Angeles and Bakersfield, CA; Tulsa, OK; Calgary, Canada; Denver, CO; Midland, TX; Rye and Scarsdale, N.Y.; and Houston, TX. In 1982 he retired from Shell after 42 years.

Bob made Jacksonville, FL his home the last 12 years of his life in the loving care of his family and as a member of Hodges Blvd. Presbyterian Church where he will be interred. He lived with his wife in the Cypress Village Retirement Community.

He loved classical music, and was an accomplished violinist and singer. He was active in the church and enjoyed playing golf, as well as keeping his house and yard absolutely perfect.

Bob is survived by his sister, Ruth Lowder of NC; daughter Jeri Lee Hester Ross (George) of Jacksonville, FL; sons, Wayne R. Hester (Joanne) of Bridgewater, MA and John W. Hester (Rene’) of Bakersfield, CA.; his grandchildren, Darren Ross (Kimberly), Rebecca Ross Harkness (Trevor), Jill Hester Benitez (Benjamin), Brian Hester, Sarah Hester and Jonathan Hester (Jennifer); and nine great-grandchildren: Tyler, Victoria and Annabelle Ross, Katie and Jackson Harkness, Graciella and Bronson Benitez, Hailey Moody, and Grace Hester.

A memorial service celebrating Bob’s life will be held at Hodges Blvd. Presbyterian Church, 4140 Hodges Blvd., Jacksonville 32224 on Friday, October 28, 2016 at 11:30 A.M. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations in Bob’s name to Hodges Blvd. Presbyterian Church or to Community Hospice of NE Florida.