Individual Details

James Fletcher Hester was born in Odessa, Texas on May 20, 1937 to Johnnie Jefferson Hester and wife, Allie "Bernice" Strickland Hester. He was the 3nd born of 6 children.

He grew up in Hawkins, Texas and attended school there til he graduated. Then he went to Tyler Jr. College and became a draftsman. He would later work as a piping draftsman for Lone Star Steel Co., Eastman Chemical Co. of Longview, Tx., Bechtel of Houston, Tx., and Huntsman of Longview, Tx.

James married Trudy Karen Dinning on July 2, 1966 in Longview, Tx. at the First Baptist Church Chapel. They had 2 children; James "Todd" Hester and Karen Elizabeth Hester. They were all charter members of New Beginnings Baptist Church in Longview. 
James and Trudy attended Calvary Baptist Church in Longview and were regular members in Sunday School and church, and he was a part of the kitchen crew and the domino crew. James was also in a metal detector club, an Eastman Ex's card game group, and loved spending time with his 7 grandchildren. 

James was preceded in death by his parents.

James is survived by his wife, his 2 children, and grandchildren Colin Groce, Macy Miller, Madison Miller, Micah Miller, Elizabeth Miller, Michael "Evan" Mattox, and Fletcher Hester.
James brothers were George (Mary) Hester and Curtis (Frances) Hester.
James sisters were Peggy (Connie) Hester Irby, Jean Hester, and Jacque (Todd) Hester Gibbs. 

Birth	20 May 1937	Odessa, Ector County, Texas
Census (family)-shared	17 Apr 1940	(Johnnie Jefferson Hester and Allie "Bernice" Strickland) Jefferson County, Texas
Marriage	2 Jul 1966	Longview, Harrison County, Texas - Trudy Karen Dinning
Death	23 Jun 2015	Longview, Gregg County, Texas
Burial		Hawkins City Cemetery, Wood County, Texas

Spouse	Trudy Karen Dinning (1945 - )
Child	James "Todd" Hester ( - )
Child	Living

Father	Johnnie Jefferson Hester (1910 - 1983)
Mother	Allie "Bernice" Strickland (1914 - 1997)
Sibling	Living
Sibling	Living
Sibling	Living
Sibling	Living
Sibling	Living

Notes