John T. Kesler Sr. was born in Manhattan, New York, to Phylis Mae Hall on June 1, 1930. When he was two, Phylis married Pete Kesler who raised John as his own son. John, known as “Buck” by family and friends, grew up in Salisbury, North Carolina along with his younger brother Philip Kesler. He attended Granite Quarry High School where as a senior, he was voted “Most Likely to Succeed” – and indeed, he did.
John began his career with the FBI in 1949. Shortly after beginning his career, he was drafted and served in the US Army for two years. After that, he returned to his assignment with the FBI in Washington, DC. In the summer of 1953, he met the love of his life, Jean Bowman, while they were both working as clerks for the US government in Washington, DC. After a six month courtship, they were married on January 30, 1954, beginning a 64-year adventure. Their first child, John Jr., was born 16 months later and, soon thereafter, Julia and Jana were added to their young family. With the support of his loving wife and while his children were very young, John went to night school while working full time to further his education and was awarded a Bachelor’s Degree of Commercial Science from Benjamin Franklin University in 1957. John served the FBI for 30 years, enjoying rewarding work in Washington DC, Indianapolis, Indiana; Houston, Texas; Beaumont, Texas; and finally back to Washington, DC, retiring shortly after the birth of their first grandchild.
Never one to not be productive, John became a private investigator for a couple of years and then accepted an offer from Shell Oil Company to work in Corporate Security. He enjoyed another 20 year career with Shell.
In the mid-1990s, John met his biological father, John Schofield, for the first time and was welcomed by the family with open arms. Since then John Kesler had the pleasure of building relationships with his new family additions of a half-brother, two half-sisters, and a bevy of new nieces and nephews.
John and Jean were devoted to their family, providing love and support to their family for many, many years. Children and grandchildren enjoy wonderful memories of family anniversary parties, vegetable gardens and fruit trees, and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. John was the patriarch of his family, the quintessential family man and hands-on grandfather who always provided love and support to those he cherished. He was a naturally principled man who led by example and lived a modest life. He loved to play guitar, golf, hunt and fish and always harvested responsibly. He never paid someone to do something he could do himself, such as mowing his own lawn until he was in his mid-80s. His domain was his workshop in the garage where he spent many happy hours tinkering and fixing things. John was loved and respected by his family and was one of the most important people in their lives. By being the wonderful man that he was, he inspired those who loved him.
He enjoyed great friendships with his outdoor companions Joe Crutchfield, TJ Jones, Les Jones, and Jerry Grimes.
John was predeceased by his wife Jean Kesler, daughter Jana Wilson, granddaughter Heather Maxwell, and brother Philip Kesler. He is survived by his son John (Johnny) T Kesler Jr., daughter-in-law Alicia Kesler, daughter Julia Maxwell, son-in-law Leo Maxwell, son-in-law Dwayne Wilson, sister-in-law Trella McDaniel, brother-in-law Tom McDaniel, 10 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. He is also survived by his siblings Patsy Trollinger, Barbara Owen, and John Schofield, as well as a host of nieces and nephews.
Please follow the link below to view the Celebration of Life tribute video, which was created by John's family:
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