Jerry Ray Kester

Jerry Ray Kester was born May 27, 1954, in McMinnville, Oregon to Kenneth and Vera Kester. He was the youngest to join the family of older brother, David and sister, Millie. He passed away at the age of 69 on October 13, 2023, in his home in Olympia, Washington with his family by his side.

He attended elementary schools in Caldwell and Boise, Idaho, West Junior High, and graduating from Borah High School in 1973, being voted “Mr. Friendly” his senior hear. He graduated from Bethany Nazarene College, now Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, Oklahoma in 1977 and immediately began a Master of Religion degree. He attended Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri and had just completed all the coursework for a Doctor of Ministry degree also through Nazarene Theological Seminary, but his health decline prevented him from completing the dissertation.

Jerry served as a youth pastor for 20 years in Bethany, Oklahoma, Kent, Washington, and Nampa, Idaho before accepting a lead pastor position in Twin Falls, Idaho, where he would serve for 17 years. He was then elected to the position of superintendent for the Washington Pacific District of the Church of the Nazarene and served there until his passing. He was on multiple committees throughout the denomination, also serving as the Vice Chair for the Board of Trustees for Northwest Nazarene University.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Sharon (Jarrell); son Greg (Denice) Kester of Boise, Idaho; son Brad (Merrily) Kester of Maui, Hawaii; grandson Declan of Boise, Idaho and granddaughter Umika of Maui, Hawaii; sister Millie (Charles) Watkins; stepbrother Gary (Maxeen) Evans; stepsister Karen Lee; stepsister Sheryl (Bill) Vernor along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In 1987, Jerry and Sharon had the privilege of becoming the legal guardians for Sarah (Leis) Thompson. She and her brother, Henry, along with their spouses, children, and a recent grandson have been part of their family and always will be. Love has no boundaries!

Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Vera Kester, stepfather George Evans, brother David Kester, and grandson Micah Kester (parents, Greg, and Denice Kester).

Visitation:

Mills and Mills Funeral Home

Friday, October 27, 2023 – 1:00-4:00 PM

5725 Littlerock Rd, Tumwater, WA98512

Memorial Services:

Saturday, October 28, 2023 – 1:00 PM

Mountain View Church of the Nazarene

940 Israel Rd SW, Tumwater, WA 98501

Saturday, November 4, 2023 – 11:00 AM

Nampa First Church of the Nazarene

601 16th Ave S, Nampa, ID 83651

Interment will be at Cloverdale Cemetery in Boise, Idaho.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making donations in Jerry’s memory to Northwest Nazarene University for the Ministerial Student Scholarship fund. Checks made payable to Northwest Nazarene University can be mailed to NNU Office of University Advancement, 623 S University Blvd, Nampa, ID 83686, or gifts can be made via their website www.nnu.edu/give or:

Nazarene World Evangelism Fund: https://give.nazarene.org/donate/world-evangelism-fund