Dad’s service at Willamette National Cemetery was as perfect as a service of its type can be.  We had no rain and  beautiful clouds.  Our officiant gave a thoughtful and humorous eulogy, and the honor guard was crisp and their ceremony was extremely moving.  Dad still would have said it was too much of a fuss, but we all believe differently.  

Dave was a great coworker for many years. I enjoyed his work ethic and sense of humor. My wife used to make him cookies all the time which he enjoyed. He was a good friend and will be missed.

I will also remember the integrity and kindness which Dave brought to the Oregon Department of Corrections, and his instrumental work in our automation the Community Corrections.  Dave could always be counted on for a smile, and he was truly a gentleman. 

Dave leaves behind a legacy of a being a truly honorable public servant, who served the citizens of Oregon well. 

Dave and I were close friends for almost half a century.  Dave had a distinguished history in law enforcement as a Polk County Deputy Sheriff, deputy United States Marshall, and as a FBI special agent working the bank robbery detail in Los Angeles.  He was also an FBI firearms instructor, and because of his expertise was called upon to work the Patty Hearst case as well as the Wounded Knee tragedy.  He was the Oregon State jail inspector before he retired, in which capacity he audited the corrections facilities in each of Oregon’s 36 counties.  With his stoic form of humor, Dave would always address county jail officials by asserting “I am from Salem and I’m here to help you.”
Dave was my hiking and backpacking partner after I retired from the Linn county Sheriffs office.  We would take week long back packs in Idaho, Wyoming and Montana, often going a week without ever seeing another human being.  He was an accomplished outdoorsman having completed the US Air Force survival school. We would carry our duty weapons when hiking in Grizzly Bear territory, and I would always remind him that he was the FBI marksman if we were attacked.  When we would sit around the campfire Dave would talk about his devotion to his wife Margie, the love of his life.
Dave had a deep appreciation of wilderness and enjoyed the outdoors immensely.  We would ford waist deep mountain streams, traverse glaciers, scramble over boulder fields and summit mountains.  He was the toughest man I’ve ever known, also the kindest.
My wife Sheila and I went to dinner with Dave and Margie every Thursday night for 20 years.  McGraths Fish House was almost always our destination and we always knew what one another would order.
I plan to climb Tincup Mountain next week in Idaho.  After I summit Tincup I shall look out over the surrounding wilderness and remember Dave. I shall always miss his company.

John A Tuthill 

Dave,  we will miss you dearly.   I reflect on our history together.  

We met in 1959 when you were serving as a Deputy Sheriff on duty in the Polk County area when every shared conversation made us laugh.  You went on to serve with the FBI while I was engaged in an Administrative capacity in Oregon's Department of Corrections.  It was my pleasure to hire you upon your return into our Department of Parole & Probation . . . and your almost immediate promotion  to various Administrative positions, such as . . "Jail Inspector for the State of Oregon".  We worked together for many years as oversite managers of Multi-County Community Corrections programs throughout the Willamette Valley.  Your "Values" remained impeccable as I witnessed you repeatedly stand up for what is "right" . . sometimes at great personal peril.  Those were political times much like today.  

Socially,  a thousand activities with our friends . . . Detroit Lake camping & fishing . . . after work departure to "Earthquake Ethyl's" for all night "Disco" . . .  Barn building . . ad enfinitum.  Excluding some boating mishaps . . what fun.

Getting a bit long winded . . I will save the rest until we meet again, my friend.  

You will always be#1 in all our hearts.  We made it to "always & forever"  . .  Frank TULLIUS, Ret. Director of Community Corrections





We met Dave 20-plus years ago when we moved to Oregon. Margie was retiring, and my husband Jim and I moved to Salem for me to take over Margie’s position. We knew immediately we would become friends with both Dave and Margie. Dave’s kindness and outstanding knowledge of many things made him one of the most interesting people we have known. I cannot count the number of times he was able to help us with his computer savvy. We especially enjoyed our meals at the Pancake House and our discussions. One evening, at the Jester’s home came to mind when we sat through a movie called “The Hired Hand.” After sitting through the whole film, as I remember it, the only action in the movie was really a horse drinking water. The four of us just did not know what to say. They actually gifted us a DVD of the film. We have it to this day.

Our prayers go out to the family.


My brothers and I grew up poor. We had to find fun ourselves. To make extra money we would trap animals in the woods and sell the pelts.  I would always want to trail behind them.  They didn’t like it much but I always liked to go with them. All this stopped suddenly when they caught a skunk in the trap and tried to free it.  No more trapping. 
We then switched to shooting down mistletoe from the trees at Christmas time. 
    I was always proud of Dave and his accomplishments  and  his family.  He really loved his kids, grandchildren, and Marjorie.  He helped me through some bad times.  For that I’ll always be greatfull .
    Through all our lives we’ve learned the greatest gift we can give is our time.  Bless his wife Marjorie and all his family and we offer our condolences. 
Rev. Dr. Bruce and Irene Owens
225 South Jackson Street 
Perryville MO 63775

OBITUARY

Dave Jerome Jester Sr.

14 January, 1941 – 29 May, 2022

Howell, Edwards, Doerksen with Rigdon-Ransom Funeral Directors

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders