Harold Franklin Hester

Harold Franklin Hester, son of Frank Hester and Marie (Irby) Hester was born October 19, 1934 in Haskell, Arkansas. He departed this life October 3, 2023 in the Osage Beach Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Osage Beach, Missouri at the age of Eighty-eight years, eleven months and fourteen days.

On April 26, 1958, in Fairfax County, Virginia, he was united in marriage to Joan “Joni” Carolyn Robinson. Together they shared nearly forty-nine years of marriage, before her passing on April 12, 2007.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister Rita Marie (Hester) Davenport.

He is survived by his dear friend, Mike Minor and the entire Minor family, as well as a nation of people grateful for his lifetime of service, sacrifice, dedication and defense of the United States of America.

Although being born in Haskell, Arkansas Harold was raised in nearby Benton, Arkansas and graduated from Benton High School in the class of 1952. He attended and received a degree at the University of Arkansas following high school. After college Harold enlisted with the United States Army in May of 1955. He would go on to serve his country in the Vietnam War, receiving the Bronze Star and as Harold would say “thousands of At-A-Boys”. He made the United States Army his career specializing and primarily serving in the Department of Mapping. He retired after twenty years and reaching the rank of Master Sergeant. After his retirement from the United States Army, he was then independently contracted and employed by the United States Military working in the Department of Mapping at the Pentagon and retiring to the lake after twenty-three years.

In his spare time Harold loved to write and completed five books, with three of them being published. His writings included the books; “Arlee”, a collection of twenty-eight short stories, “Heavens Luck”, a semi non-fictional book, “January’s Heat”, a futuristic adventure that features a woman of the early 21st century, “Military Wives Cook Book”, a unique cook book from Harold’s life in the Military and the culinary arts he had learned especially during the eleven years of living in the Far East, “Our Naked Veterans”, an insightful look and informative book into the dealings as well as the hoops and hurdles with the Department of Veterans Affairs that veterans have to deal with after their time of service, and “Remembering Tomorrow”, a futuristic look at the world of the 22nd century, and a specific government financed organization. Outside of his writing Harold enjoyed his retirement days in a quiet cove at the Lake of the Ozarks and was always a person who was willing to help anyone in need.

He was a loving and a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and his accomplishments and will treasure the memories he created for his family and friends.

A private interment ceremony will take place at a later date in the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

Arrangements are under the direction of Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Camdenton, Missouri.