1940
Dr.
2021
Dr. Monty Charles Kester
January 22, 1940 — April 25, 2021
Dr. Monty Charles Kester, 81, of Lynchburg, Virginia, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, April 25, 2021. He was the husband of Phyllis (Smith) Kester for 57 years.
He was born January 22, 1940, in Vernon, Texas to Charley Marvin Kester, Jr. and Ida (Towry) Kester. They lived in the small rural north-central Texas community of Odell.
Monty was preceded in death by his parents and his son Charles.
Monty is survived by his wife Phyllis; son David and his wife Janet of Roseburg, Oregon; three grandsons—Ethan Kester of Roseburg, Jarod Kester, serving in the U.S. Army 173rd Airborne in Italy, and Benjamin Kester of Roseburg, Oregon; his brother Ronnie and wife Reva, of Weatherford, Texas; and former daughter-in-law Cheryl Kester Thomas of Fayetteville, Arkansas.
How do you encompass a life well lived by a man devoted to his family and his Lord Jesus Christ? After 18 years on the family farm in Odell, Texas, he pursued a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and physics at McMurray College in Abilene, Texas. This is very surprising since his high school background only consisted of high school Algebra I. There were no remedial courses, so his first year at college was challenging since his first math class was College Algebra. However, he had learned persistence and hard work on the farm. Furthermore, he had learned self-discipline in his high school sports. He made the All-District Team in basketball and football while qualifying in the pole vaulting event for the State of Texas Track meet in Austin.
He acquired the degrees of masters and doctorate from Oklahoma State University. OSU was where he met and married the love of his life for the last 57 years—his fellow mathematics colleague, Phyllis, who was instrumental in his journey to become a Christian.
Monty enthusiastically served as a college professor of mathematics for 50 years in Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, and ended his remarkable career at Liberty University in Virginia. He never tired of challenging inquiring minds both inside and outside the classroom. For years he and his wife hosted dinners in their home for young professionals seeking some challenging discussions over dinner. They also often took in a young professional or college student to live with them as he/she transitioned a problematic time or recovered from an accident or surgery. He always had time and an open door for anyone with a need or question.
During his vibrant, active life, Monty worked with Boy Scouts and saw both sons become Eagle Scouts. In addition to adventure trips with the scouts and leading Bible Studies, he enjoyed team teaching with his wife at numerous conferences, retreats, teacher in-service, Sunday school classes, and marriage Seminars. They opened and operated a Total Health Care Business in Texas plus personally developed and operated a Christian free-loan library in the Houston area of over 1000 books and 3000 tapes.
They hiked to the bottom of Grand Canyon while their sons were in grade school and returned years later to white water raft the Colorado River through Grand Canyon. He drove, hiked, and camped through much of the US with his family. After his sons were married, he and Phyllis made memorable trips to many countries which included China, to Brazil to celebrate a friend translating the Bible into a new language and climbed mountains at Machu Picchu, Peru, after they floated the Amazon. But he often said he especially loved the summer in Alaska and living with the wild bears in their natural habitat for a few days.
Monty and Phyllis moved to Westminster Canterbury a little over two years ago where staff and residents alike were encouraged by his cheerful manner and eagerness to help everyone.
On Tuesday, May 04, 2021, the family will receive friends from 12:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, with a celebration of Monty’s life to follow at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Dr. Gerald Kroll officiating. Interment will follow in Fort Hill Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to one of the following: Westminster Canterbury Fellowship Fund, 501 VES Road, Lynchburg, VA 24503, Geneva Academy, P.O. Box 1154, Roseburg, OR 97470, memo line: Kester Memorial, or Institute for Creation Research, 1806 Royal Lane, Dallas, Texas 75229.
Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.
View Tribute Video
He was born January 22, 1940, in Vernon, Texas to Charley Marvin Kester, Jr. and Ida (Towry) Kester. They lived in the small rural north-central Texas community of Odell.
Monty was preceded in death by his parents and his son Charles.
Monty is survived by his wife Phyllis; son David and his wife Janet of Roseburg, Oregon; three grandsons—Ethan Kester of Roseburg, Jarod Kester, serving in the U.S. Army 173rd Airborne in Italy, and Benjamin Kester of Roseburg, Oregon; his brother Ronnie and wife Reva, of Weatherford, Texas; and former daughter-in-law Cheryl Kester Thomas of Fayetteville, Arkansas.
How do you encompass a life well lived by a man devoted to his family and his Lord Jesus Christ? After 18 years on the family farm in Odell, Texas, he pursued a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and physics at McMurray College in Abilene, Texas. This is very surprising since his high school background only consisted of high school Algebra I. There were no remedial courses, so his first year at college was challenging since his first math class was College Algebra. However, he had learned persistence and hard work on the farm. Furthermore, he had learned self-discipline in his high school sports. He made the All-District Team in basketball and football while qualifying in the pole vaulting event for the State of Texas Track meet in Austin.
He acquired the degrees of masters and doctorate from Oklahoma State University. OSU was where he met and married the love of his life for the last 57 years—his fellow mathematics colleague, Phyllis, who was instrumental in his journey to become a Christian.
Monty enthusiastically served as a college professor of mathematics for 50 years in Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, and ended his remarkable career at Liberty University in Virginia. He never tired of challenging inquiring minds both inside and outside the classroom. For years he and his wife hosted dinners in their home for young professionals seeking some challenging discussions over dinner. They also often took in a young professional or college student to live with them as he/she transitioned a problematic time or recovered from an accident or surgery. He always had time and an open door for anyone with a need or question.
During his vibrant, active life, Monty worked with Boy Scouts and saw both sons become Eagle Scouts. In addition to adventure trips with the scouts and leading Bible Studies, he enjoyed team teaching with his wife at numerous conferences, retreats, teacher in-service, Sunday school classes, and marriage Seminars. They opened and operated a Total Health Care Business in Texas plus personally developed and operated a Christian free-loan library in the Houston area of over 1000 books and 3000 tapes.
They hiked to the bottom of Grand Canyon while their sons were in grade school and returned years later to white water raft the Colorado River through Grand Canyon. He drove, hiked, and camped through much of the US with his family. After his sons were married, he and Phyllis made memorable trips to many countries which included China, to Brazil to celebrate a friend translating the Bible into a new language and climbed mountains at Machu Picchu, Peru, after they floated the Amazon. But he often said he especially loved the summer in Alaska and living with the wild bears in their natural habitat for a few days.
Monty and Phyllis moved to Westminster Canterbury a little over two years ago where staff and residents alike were encouraged by his cheerful manner and eagerness to help everyone.
On Tuesday, May 04, 2021, the family will receive friends from 12:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, with a celebration of Monty’s life to follow at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Dr. Gerald Kroll officiating. Interment will follow in Fort Hill Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to one of the following: Westminster Canterbury Fellowship Fund, 501 VES Road, Lynchburg, VA 24503, Geneva Academy, P.O. Box 1154, Roseburg, OR 97470, memo line: Kester Memorial, or Institute for Creation Research, 1806 Royal Lane, Dallas, Texas 75229.
Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.
View Tribute Video
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