age 88, of Texarkana, Texas died Saturday, March 26, 2005 in St. Michael's Hospital, Texarkana, Texas. Mr. Kesterson was born on November 9, 1916 in Farmersville, Texas. He was the son of Richard Isaac and Bessie Nickles Kesterson of Farmersville Texas. He was a retired guard with rank of Sergeant from Red River Army Depot and was a member of First baptist Church Moores Lane and Dr. Nathan Wright's Straight Cutters Sunday School Class.
He was a Veteran of WW II, having served in the Air Force from 1942-1945. Stationed in Deenethorpe, England, Master Sergeant Kesterson served as crew chief of the B-17 Bomber "The Lady Jane', assigned to the 8th Air Force's 613 Squadron, 401st Bomb Group. He was awarded teh Bronze Star on January 21, 1945 for "meritorious service in connection with military operations against the enemy and has displayed an exceptionally high degree of efficiency and efforts in maintaining one airplane at a maximum of operational efficiency for 26th of March 1944 to 6th of November 1944. On many occassions he remained at his work all night in order that the aircraft for which he was responsible, might be ready for operational missions on the following morning. By his leadership, skill and devotion to duty, M-Sgt. Kesterson so effectively maintained this aircraft that it performed 57 consecutive missions without a mechanical failure and because of his high degree of technical skill, he established a record for aircraft maintenance that distinguishes him above other men of his grade and experience." He was awarded the EAME Campaign Medal with 6 Bronze Stars on June 17, 1944.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Onita Cruce Kesterson of Texarkana, Texas; his parents, Richard & Bessie Kesterson of Farmersville, his in-laws, Hub and Dovie Cruce of Texarkana, a brother, Willard Kesterson of Garland Texas; a special aunt, Lucille Nickles of Ft. Worth TX and two special uncles, Jack Nickles of Ft. Worth, Texas and John H. Kesterson of Texarkana, Texas; and many other much beloved relatives.
Survivors include his wife, Irene Kyle Kesterson of Texarkana, two daughters and sons-in-law, Jayne and Robert G. Williams of Texarkana and Nita and Dan Hammock of El Campo, Texas; four grandchildren, Melanie and David Dahman of Texarkana, Dr. R. Clay and Michelle Williams of Little Rock, AR, Brad hammock of Denver CO, and Valerie and Jeff Wilhelm of Lewisville TX; four great grandchildren, Nicholas Dahman of Texarkana, Harrlson Williams of Little ROck AR, Jackson Wilhelm & Lucy Ann of Lewisville TX; a special niece Jana Kesterson Chambers of Duluth GA; two special nephews Dr. Terry Braswell of Texarkana, and James R. Braswell of Hixon TN; one sister-in-law, Leoltie Braswell of Texarkana, one special aunt, Dorothy Nickles of Ft. Worth; a cousin Nelwyn England of Ft. Worth; a stepson and wife, Bill & Donna Kyle of Twin Falls, Idaho; two step-daughters and husbands, Debbie and Dennis Rodewald of Dominion City, Manitoba, Canada, and Marjorie and Paul Wenning of Toronto, Ontario Canada; six stepgrandchildren and five step-great grandchildren; plus a number of other much loved relatives and friends.
Services will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 30, 2005 at Chapelwood Funeral Home, Nash, Texas with Rev. Larry Sims officiating. A military burial will follow Chapelwood Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be 6 to 7:30 P.M. March 29. Memorial may be made to the First Baptist Church Moores Lane Building Fund, Old Timers - Boy Scouts of America, #24 Lynwood Drive, Texarkana, TX or you favorite charity. The family will be at the Kesterson residence.
Photo & Obituary contributed by Jayne Kesterson Williams
Richard Raymond Kesterson, age 88, of Texarkana, Texas died Saturday, March 26, 2005 in St. Michael's Hospital, Texarkana, Texas. Mr. Kesterson was born on November 9, 1916 in Farmersville, Texas. He was the son of Richard Isaac and Bessie Nickles Kesterson of Farmersville Texas. He was a retired guard with rank of Sergeant from Red River Army Depot and was a member of First baptist Church Moores Lane and Dr. Nathan Wright's Straight Cutters Sunday School Class.
