Thomas P. "Tommy" Hester

Tuscaloosa- Thomas P. (Tommy) Hester, age 90, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama passed away 26 April 2023 at Hospice of West Alabama. Visitation to celebrate his life will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 3rd 2023, at Heritage Chapel Funeral Home and Cremations, a Dignity Memorial Provider, directing. Graveside service to follow from 1:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 3rd 2023, at Tuscaloosa Memorial Cemetery with Dr. Kevin Thomas officiating.

Tommy was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Elizabeth Stewart Hester, parents Joseph Euel Hester and Vera Phares Hester, brothers Joseph Rufus Hester, Charles Benny Hester, William Winston Hester, and sisters Ruby Louise (Hester) Masey, Valta Mae (Hester) Rogers, Mary Grace (Hester) Johnston, Alice Rebecca (Hester) Davis, and Mable Katherine (Hester) Pitts.

Tommy is survived by his son Tommy Lane Hester (Iris) of Tuscaloosa, grandchildren Michael S. Hester (Jennifer), Jonathan S. Hester, Christina M. Hester Barnett (Jonathan), five great grandchildren, two of his 7 sisters Vera Nell (Hester) West and Patricia Ann (Hester) Wyatt, sister-in-law Sarah Inez (Boyd) Hester, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Tommy was born in Moundville, Alabama 12 April 1933 as 7 of 11 children. He graduated from Hale County High School. He began working at First National Bank of Tuscaloosa during 1951 as a runner for the bank. He was promoted to the bookkeeping department where he met Mary E. Stewart at the bank. Following a short courtship, they married 24 December 1952 and remained married for 60 years until Mary’s death in 2012. Tommy was called to military active duty in July of 1953, following his active-duty commitment, Tommy returned to Tuscaloosa and the First National Bank. Tommy achieved Senior Vice President of First National Bank and served in that capacity following AM South Bank merger. Tommy continued to serve in the banking industry over the years at First State Bank, National Bank of Commerce, and Cadence Bank finally retiring as President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of the Board of Cadence Bank of Tuscaloosa. After retiring from a 55-year career in banking, Tommy returned to school and earned his B. S. Degree from the University of Alabama in 2006. Tommy then served for 13 years as an adjunct professor for Dr. Sue Parker at UA teaching Entrepreneurship in the College of HES.

Tommy was a long-time member of the Forest Lake United Methodist Church. He was involved in many of the church activities, committees, and functions. Tommy enjoyed all of the UA sporting activities, yet his passion was serving on civic and community organizations. Some of those included but not limited to Past President, Campaign Chairman or other key roles of: Alberta Elementary School PTA, Eastwood Jr. High PTA, Tuscaloosa High School PTA, Tuscaloosa High School Band Parents, Tuscaloosa Jaycees, Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, Youth Emergency Services, United Way of Tuscaloosa County, Tuscaloosa Civitan Club, Black Warrior Council-Boy Scouts of America, YMCA of Tuscaloosa, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Tuscaloosa, Easter Seals of West Alabama, and Shelton State Community College Foundation, United Way of Tuscaloosa County, Mental Health Association, Leukemia Society, March of Dimes, American Heart Association, FOCUS on Senior Citizens, West Alabama Hospice, DCH Regional Medical Center Foundation, Tuscaloosa Civitan Club, Child Abuse Prevention Service, Veterans Memorial Park, Tuscaloosa City Board of Education Foundation, and Family Counseling Services. Further, he served as District Governor of Civitan International. A few of Tommy’s honors received include Jaycee of the Year in 1965, One of Four Outstanding Young Men of Alabama in 1966, Silver Beaver- Scouting’s highest award to Volunteers in 1972, United Way Volunteer of the Year Award in 1974, Tuscaloosa County’s Citizen of the Year Award in 1974, Tuscaloosa County’s Citizen of the Year Award in 1976, and International Management Council’s Manager of the Year in 1988.

Pallbearers will be Michael Hester, Jonathan Hester, Jonathan Barnett, Warren Johnston, Ken Rogers, and Robbie Wyatt.

Honorary pallbearers are Bert Jones, Billy Boyd, Bill Langham, LeRoy McAbee, Ronnie Rhodes, Bobby Ray Hicks, Tudor Wyndham, Brett Laney, Rob Burns, Caring Days Staff, Staff of Lewis Manderson Cancer Center, and Caretakers from Hospice of West Alabama.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to a local Tuscaloosa charitable organization.