Jimmy E. Jestes, 79, passed away Sunday, April 28, 2019 at Via Christi Hospital, Wichita, Kansas.
He was born August 28, 1939 in Allen, OK, the son of James N. and Judie C. (Davis) Jestes. On February 14, 1991 he married Lois Jane Baker at the United Methodist Church in Haven, Kansas.
Jimmy was a United States Army veteran obtaining the rank of Major before retiring on December 1, 1977. While serving in the Army he completed two tours in Vietnam, was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division where he completed 350 jumps. After retiring from the military, Jimmy did private contracting in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia from 1980 to 1982. He then went to work for the Hutchinson Correctional Facility retiring from there in 1992. Jimmy also owned his own dairy farm in Ottawa, KS for seven years, this had been his childhood dream to do so ever since he was a young boy growing up on a dairy farm. Jimmy and Jane have been members of the Brookdale Community for the last 3 years. Jimmy considered the staff and residents his extended family and they were greatly loved and appreciated.
Jimmy enjoyed hunting and teaching hunter’s education. His family commented that he had a very ornery spirit and enjoyed teasing his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Edward, Jake and Leon Jestes and two sisters, Helen Smith and Liberty Bacon.
Jimmy is survived by his wife Lois Jestes; six daughters, Judi (Michael) Winter, Jeana (Che`) Carrasco, Jami (Tyler) Hicks, Lisa (Doug) Kellerby, Angie (Bill) Hilsendeger, Karen (Jordon) Barnes; one son, Michael (Pepper) Edwards; fourteen grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 2, 2019 at Hutchinson Funeral Chapel, 300 E. 30th Ave, Hutchinson, Kansas. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 1, 2019 from 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. with family present to greet friends from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the funeral chapel. Burial will take place in the Burrton Cemetery, Burton, Kansas. Memorials may be given to the Wounded Warrior Project and sent in care of the funeral chapel.