Gary L. Kesterson

Gary L. Kesterson, 68, of rural Thayer, Kansas, passed away at 7:38 p.m., Sunday, March 19, 2017 at Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center in Chanute from injuries sustained in an all-terrain vehicle accident.

He was born December 16, 1948 in Concordia, Kansas to Pauline Freeby and was later adopted by Pauline's husband, William Kesterson. At the age of three, Gary moved with his family to Yates Center, Kansas where he grew up and attended schools. He was a 1967 graduate of Yates Center High School. He then attended the Police Academy in Hutchinson.

He and Edith A. Leck were married April 19, 1980 in Thayer. Following marriage, they lived in Wichita where he worked as a security officer at Via Christi Hospital St. Francis. In 2012, the couple returned to Thayer where they have lived since.

He was a Christian. Gary enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, bird-watching, farming, and raising livestock. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.

Survivors include his wife, Edith Kesterson, of the home; one son, Shawn Kesterson, and his wife, Misty, Haysville, KS; three daughters, Sandra Sloup and her husband, Richard, Haysville, KS, Amy Kesterson-Solano and her husband, Everd Solano, Wichita, KS, and Anna Thurman and her husband, Gabriel, Wichita, KS; and four grandchildren, Aaron Sloup, Crystal Sloup, Zoey Kesterson, and Savana Kesterson.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Pauline Kesterson; and his father, William Kesterson.

Graveside services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, March 23, 2017 at South Center Cemetery, rural Thayer. The family will receive friends from 6-8:00 p.m., Wednesday, at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons.

Memorials are suggested to The Ringneck Rustlers Chapter #578 (of the Pheasants Forever Organization). These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.

Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.