John Carlton Jester III

1938 - 2017

John Carlton Jester III obituary, 1938-2017, Greensboro, NC

BORN

1938

DIED

2017

FUNERAL HOME

Hanes Lineberry Funeral Home

515 North Elm Street

Greensboro, North Carolina

John Jester Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jul. 2, 2017.

John Carlton Jester, III, died on Saturday, July 1, 2017, at Brighton Gardens. Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Wednesday, July 5th, 2017, at the First Presbyterian Church of Greensboro, 617 North Elm Street, Greensboro, NC 27401, with Rev. Neil Dunnavant officiating. Following the memorial service, the family will receive friends in the Virginia Gilmore Room at the church.
John was born in Greensboro on January 30, 1938. He was one of three children of John "Carlton" Jester, Jr. and Elizabeth "Betty" Brown Jester.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Carlton and Betty; sister, Martha Mader; and brother, James Elliot Jester.
John is survived by his wife of 51 years, Zelle Holderness Jester, his two Children John Carlton Jester IV "Jay" of Weston, MA and Nancy B. Jester Westfall of Atlanta, GA. John was also blessed with five grandchildren, John Carlton Jester, V, James Walker Jester, Elizabeth Braswell Jester, Zelle Barry Westfall and George Carter Westfall.
John graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1961 and was a Marine before joining the family business in 1963. John joyfully worked alongside numerous relatives and faithful colleagues until his retirement in 2004.
John was an avid golfer. He loved the game almost as much as he loved the many men who played at his side each weekend in the "Jester Gangsome."
He was proud of the business that he built with his family. He treasured each of his colleagues and he served his many customers with genuine devotion and affection. He loved Tar Heel basketball. He loved "his golfers." He loved his friends.
John was a patient, devoted, and absolutely hilarious father. While full of wisdom, he parented with few words, instead, leading and teaching through example and character. He had an endless memory for kindness, yet he forgot insults and forgave slights with blinding speed and complete permanence.
Pop-Pop loved every moment with his five grandchildren. He was proud of their many accomplishments to-date and he will be tracking the course of their lives with great care and attention going forward.
Most of all, and without question, John loved Zelle. They were soulmates in life for more than five decades. They walked with the Lord together. They built a company, shepherded a family, created a wonderful home, parented, grand-parented, laughed, loved and lived every moment of every day, together.
The warmth of their home, the generosity of their hospitality, their boundless enthusiasm for this life and their unending love for one another continues to serve as an example for all who were touched by their marriage.
He paid his way. He kept his word. He carried his share of the load. He learned the rules of the game and then he honored the rules. He told the truth. He never complained and he never quit. He did the right thing.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Greensboro.
Our family is eternally grateful to the wonderful team at Brighton Gardens. We shared the last six and a half years with you. You treated Pop Pop with incredible care, dignity and respect. You treated all of us like family. Hanes-Lineberry Funeral Home has the honor of assisting the Jester family. Online condolences may be made at www.haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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6 Entries

July 27, 2017

Laura Lynthacum

Mrs Jester and family, I am so sorry for your loss. You and Mr Jester were always so kind to me when I worked for you in your home. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

July 5, 2017

Cheryl Becker

John Jester was a long time loyal customer and friend with everyone here at Gill Studios. John and Jim kept a family business strong with their honesty and wonderful service! May his smile live on! Cheryl Becker, Gill Studios

July 3, 2017

Marc Wolpow

Based on my knowledge of your son, Jay, your daughter-in-law, Janice, and your three grandchildren, I have much respect for the family you built and the life you led.

July 3, 2017

Larry Mann

Mr jester
You were always so wonderful to me
I will miss you greatly
Jay zelle and nancy b
My thoughts with you during this time
My condolences

July 3, 2017

Carolyn Russ

John's parents,Betty and Carlton, were so kind and generous with their love and gifts to my mother and father, Carrie and Edgar Alston. Martha Sparks was my age. We failed to keep in touch over the years. It sounds as if John inherited all the attributes of his family. May God bless you and family in the loss of one so dear and give you the peace that passes all understanding.

July 2, 2017

Zelle,
Please accept my sincere condolences. I know John is now singing with the Angels.
A friend from the past.
John A. Lineberry ( lived in Tarboro from 1948 to 1958)

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Funeral services provided by:

Hanes Lineberry Funeral Home

515 North Elm Street, Greensboro, NC 27401

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