Obituaries

Robert Lynn “Bob” Kester, 80, of West Milford passed away on Monday, December 8, 2025 at his residence following a courageous 12-year battle with cancer.

He was born in Clarksburg on September 8, 1945, a son of the late Rolla H. and Thelma Polk Kester.

Bob is survived by his wife, Cheryl “Sherry” Diaz Kester, whom he married on November 13, 1965 and just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by one son, Jeremy Kester and his wife Jacqulyn of West Milford; one sister, Delores Stutler and her husband Jiggs of Coburns Creek; two half sisters, Debbie McGuire of Martinsburg and Carolyn Cole and her husband Doug of Martinsburg; two half brothers, Rusty Kester and his wife Pam of Martinsburg and Glenn Kester and his wife Karen of Georgia; one half sister-in-law, Rosa; and his bonus son, Scott West and his wife Peg.

He was also preceded in death by one son, Michael Kester and one half brother, Gary Kester.

Bob was a 1964 graduate of Unidis High School and a veteran of the Army National Guard. He was a retired supervisor with Equitable Natural Gas Company with over 35 years of service. After his retirement, Bob worked part time at Amos Carvelli Funeral Home. He was a member of the West Milford United Methodist Church and also attended Sycamore Community Church. A major change in Bob’s life was the joy that his son and daughter-in-law’s dog “Bailey” brought to his life.

Bob coached Little League and Jerry West Basketball for many years. “Coach” Kester was South Harrison’s Pop Warner football coach for 26 years, having started the Pop Warner program at South Harrison. With his leadership, he took the teams to Championship games and on to winning titles. He will be missed by all “his boys”.

Family and friends may call at the Amos Carvelli Funeral Home, 201 Edison Street, Nutter Fort on Wednesday from 12:00 to 8:00 pm, where funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 11, 2025 at 11:00 am with Reverend Gary Rapking, Ben Hall and Reverend Joy Butcher-Winfree will officiate. Interment will be in the Floral Hills Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Harrison County CASA Program, P. O. Box 1876, Clarksburg, WV 26302 or the Harrison County Humane Society, 2450 Saltwell Road, Shinnston, WV 26431.

Expressions of sympathy may be extended to the family at www.amoscarvelli.com. A service of Amos Carvelli Funeral Home.