Kesterson, Arthur Kenneth b. Oct. 22, 1907 d. Jun. 23, 2000
Kesterson, Negie Lee Capel b. Feb. 24, 1915 d. Jan. 13, 2004
Arthur is s/o Robert and Ora Pearl (Bunn) Kesterson

Arthur Kenneth Kesterson radio engineer-inventor; manager and co-owner with Charles Penix, KCLA, Pine Bluff. Bn, Oct, 1907, Pine Bluff. Son of Robert and Oral Pearl Bunn Kesterson. Maternal grandfather made and patented the first pill-rolling machine. Interest in science and invention began to roll with this. As a schoolboy pioneered radio,operating ham station M-5-JXW. Built first two way radio system in Southeast Arkansas, KQGT, Jefferson Co. Court House, November 1, 1939, for police work. Prior to WWII, did preliminary communications work for special corps., Pine Bluff; continued as civilian employee during war.With financial backing of Dr. C. B. Capel, partners and staff built KCLA with own hands, 1947. Since Kesterson designed and built emergency generator, 1952, KCLA never got off air more than 35 seconds from power failure. This record held through tornadoes, other emergencies when station facilities aid relief agencies and supply uninterrupted news coverage. Subsequent contributions to radio engineering include many improvements in console design, notably the square peg type nonslip capstan for turntable speed reducer, adopted by manufacturer in present models. Devoted two years engineering for audio improvements of quality of reproduction. Edu. Pine Bluff HS, attended discontinued Judkins Business College, Pine Bluff. Grad. Government Radio course conducted in LR in 1936 by Prof. Cordray of ASTC. Mason, Shriner; mem. Bd. Stewards,Lakeside Methodist Church. Married Negie Lee Capel, June 16, 1934. Two sons, Arthur Gerald, ham radio W-5-BHG; and Kenneth Lee.

Obituary:
Negie Lee Capel Kesterson, 88, of Pine Bluff, died Tuesday at Jefferson Regional Medical Center. She was born Feb. 24, 1915, in Grant County, a daughter of the late Dr. C.B. Capel and Viola Henry Capel. Her family moved to Pine Bluff from Sheridan in 1923. She graduated from Pine Bluff High School in 1933 and attended Arkansas A&M College (now the University of Arkansas at Monticello). She was a member of Lakeside United Methodist Church, where she was a past Sunday school teacher, a charter member of the Alpha Study Group and a life member of the United Methodist Women. She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Kenneth Kesterson, whom she married on June 16, 1934, at Pine Bluff; and one son, Jerry Kesterson. Survivors include one son, Ken Kesterson of Pine Bluff; her caregiver, Thelma Cooper; two grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Lakeside United Methodist Church with the Revs. George Williams and Ted DeWeese officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery by Ralph Robinson and Son Funeral Directors. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Lakeside United Methodist Church, 1500 Olive St., Pine Bluff, AR 71601, or the American Heart Association, 909 W. Second St., Little Rock, AR 72201.

Dawes, Faye Kesterson b. Feb. 28, 1918 d. Aug. 30, 1993
Faye is d/o George Monroe and Darthula Jane (Roberts)Kesterson
Married to Clyde Lee Dawes

Hunt, Rosa Kesterson b. Jun. 12, 1908 d. Sep. 25, 1967
Daughter of John W. and Luella Kesterson married to Victor Lee Hunt

Kesterson, Jerry b. Nov. 30, 1935 d. Aug. 23, 1988