Gerald Louis Hester

Gerald Hester (Jerry) L. of Miami, FL, passed away at home Tuesday, July 23, 2019. Born September 27, 1932 in Lexington, KY to the late Maurice (Buck) and Opal Hester, Jerry was seven years old when his family moved to Miami. After graduating from Miami High School in 1950, he went to the University of Florida where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta and the Student Builder's Association. He earned a Bachelor's Degree from the School of Architecture and Allied Arts in 1954 with an emphasis in building construction, and then served our country as a lieutenant in the Army Corp of Engineers in Germany. He co-owned Modern Painting, a commercial painting company. From a young age, Jerry had a true love of the outdoors, especially the water. He had a lifelong love of Biscayne Bay, where he water skied and explored on a small boat with a tiny outboard engine in the beginning, and on his power boats and sailboats later on. He was an avid fan of antique cars and loved to restore and show them at car shows as a member of the Antique Automobile Club of America, South Florida Region. His other interests included guns, American and British history and politics and he could recount details about any subject.
He is survived by his loving and devoted wife Barbara, son Kirk Hester (Carolyn), daughter Holly Hester (Bill Shortridge) and son Jason Hastings (Margaret), as well as his four beloved grandchildren, Buck, Emerson, August and Madeline, and many friends. He will be missed by all who loved him. A viewing will be held at Kendall Presbyterian Church (8485 SW 112th Street Miami, FL. 33156) at 3:30pm with a service starting at 4pm on Saturday, August 3rd. Interment will take place at 11am on Tuesday, August 6th at Miami Memorial Park, 6200 SW 77 Avenue, Miami 33143.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Miami Rescue Mission.