Gordon Everett Hester

Gordon Everett Hester (Poppa) was born on March 14, 1940 in Somerville, Tennessee. He graduated from Selmer High School in 1958. Poppa loved any opportunity to share about the glory days where his football team went undefeated his senior year. He was versatile playing guard and any other position the coach requested. Even after 60 years, Gordon still cherished many friendships from his childhood and school days at Selmer.

Gordon was united in marriage to Almeda H. Michael (Meda) on June 30, 1958. They honored their vows for 62 years even through his final days. He found abundant joy in cutting the first rose each spring for Meda and in spoiling her with breakfast in bed.

As a U.S. Army Veteran, Gordon continued serving through his work at the VA for the Specially Adapted Housing for Disabled Veterans even into retirement. As an artist, he never missed a chance to share his paintings or sketches with those around him. He was the center of attention in any crowd, always charming others with his witty sense of humor and mischievous smile. Life took them many places but regardless of the location home was always wherever Nanna and Poppa were. Their loved ones knew their door was always open and full of hospitality whether resting along a journey or stopping for a visit. The family often awoke on Saturday mornings to the sweet smell of bacon and coffee thanks to Poppa in the kitchen.

All that love him know that the best moments spent with Poppa were simple ones spent in silence at their Watertown, Smiley Hollow, and Loretta homes admiring God’s awe-inspiring beauty through nature. As the call of the Lord drew near, he was surrounded by his family hand in hand passing peacefully with everlasting reassurance. Gordon departed this life on February 8, 2021 at the age of 80 years in Hermitage, TN.

Gordon is preceded in death by his parents Austin Eugene Hester and Bulah Mae Robbins as well as one brother (Robert). He studied the family’s genealogy and ensured their love built a family to carry on the Hester name. He is survived by his wife Almeda Michael Hester; his daughter Wendy Wyatt (Roger); his son Tommy Hester (Jodi); his granddaughters Amanda Heckwolf (Thomas), Emily Hester, and Kady Hester; his grandsons Benjamin Hester (Kristen) and Austin Hester (Cady); his great grandsons Benson, Grayson, Justin, and Elijah; and great-granddaughters Elliot, Allison, and Lillian. Our life mission will be to live in honor of him and the pride he exuded for his family’s accomplishments.

Gordon will be buried at the Prospect Cemetery in Selmer, TN. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Prospect Cemetery Fund, 151 Bassham Lane, Selmer, TN 38375 or the Gary Sinise Foundation, PO Box 368, Woodland Hills, CA 91365 in honor of Gordon’s mission to serve disabled veterans.