Mr. Stephen Rat Ray Hester

How do I begin to write about a man who was larger than life. Stephen was a man who had no idea how much he was loved and cherished. He was always a phone call away. He would do anything he could to help someone in need. If you were lucky enough to have Steve as you friend, you had a friend for life. This man was a once in a lifetime person who left his imprint on everyone he knew. He was very much a family man and took care of his family all of his life. His mother was very proud of him and when she passed away it hurt him dearly. We can take comfort in knowing that he is with his mother. I can only guess that God needed a warrior for something special and that is why he took him from us. I just wish that he would have given us a little more time with Stephen as we all loved him so.      Stephen was born on December 12, 1958 at US Army Hospital in Foot Hood, TX. His parents were WL and Vollie Hester. Stephen was raised in Searcy, AR. Always able to express himself well, Stephen possessed strong interpersonal skills. He was optimistic in his outlook on life and was able at all times to be open and direct in his communication. Armed with a great wit, Stephen was raised to be accepting of others and to implement a strong personal work ethic.      Blessed with a balanced attitude, Stephen was able to relate well with others. His occasional role as family mediator gave him the opportunity to ease tense situations when they occurred. Stephen was raised with four siblings. He had two younger brothers, Kenneth and Leonard and two younger sisters, Vicky and Angela. Stephen had a strong desire to be treated fairly and would readily offer others the same fairness in return.      As a young child, Stephen showed his creative ability in many ways. He was outgoing and animated. Stephen enjoyed new activities and pursued a variety of interests. In his spare time he liked to play war with his brothers and always enjoyed getting into mischief with his cousins. His mother taught him respect and manners which carried through the rest of his life.      Stephen was quite the partier in high school and he spent more time partying and getting into trouble than school work. He thought his mother never knew, but she did. She knew that he enjoyed life and he would always be there for her if he was needed. He then went into the Marine Corp after high school. Stephen was a hardcore Marine veteran. Stephen was a cool thinker who could handle himself well in a crisis. He was everywhere. Wherever he was needed he went. He received several commendations and merit awards. He showed leadership qualities and could make tough decisions when he was called upon to do so. Anyone who knew Steve knew that "Once a Marine Always a Marine" motto described him perfectly. He was always saying "no pain no gain". And to get him to see a doctor was like pulling teeth. Every year on the Marine Corp birthday he would take a cake to local recruiting office. Being a member of the Patriot Guard and Rolling Thunder was an honor to him. There was nothing that he would not do for a veteran.      Friends and acquaintances found Stephen an easy man to get to know, and those close to him would often praise his open, practical style of communication and relaxed approach to life in general. Stephen was uncomplicated and straightforward in his relationships, which allowed him to accept people for what they were. While growing up, some of his best friends were Ronnie and Nancy, Scotty, and Mike. Later in life, he became friends with Bill Pettypool, Bill and Donna Kilgore, Jessie Whitney, Big C, Jamie Rainey, Dan, and Robert.      On May 20, 2000 Stephen exchanged wedding vows with Robin Sue McNeal at the St. Pauls Methodist Church in Searcy, AR. Stephen was attentive to Robin's feelings, and he charmed Robin and others with his gift for being able to give freely and generously. Stephen asked her children if he could marry her before he asked her. He wanted to be sure that they approved of him. A good listener with an engaging personality, Stephen was able to bring pleasure and unexpected humor to the relationship. He was the first man to take her breath away and she married her soul mate and partner for life.      Very much like a kid himself, Stephen identified with the inquisitive and creative side of his children’s personalities. He was able to direct his energy and spontaneity towards helping his children acquire added common sense skills. Stephen was blessed with two children, two daughters, Amanda and Christina. They were also blessed with three grandchildren, Scott, Lindsi and Kayla. Stephen was a great husband who followed his wife wherever her job would send her. When they moved to Cape Girardeau, MO, he became the honorary dad to many. He was always ready to give a hug to just let them know they were loved and he would do anything for them as he worried about them as though they were his children. He would always stop by the store when his wife was away just to make sure that they were all doing okay.      Stephen was a flexible worker who was able to draw the best from others around him. A persuasive individual who was quick to make necessary decisions, Stephen’s strengths included being able to think on his feet. He could be a leader who sought impact for his decisions. Gifted with an incredible ability to read body language, Stephen was able to positively manipulate situations and motivate others in order to get a task completed. He was a good negotiator who enjoyed new challenges. Stephen could multi-task, and he was endowed with entrepreneurial spirit, allowing him to think beyond standard norms when it came to resolving issues in his work environment. His primary occupation was Pipe fitter. He was employed for River City Sprinklers.      Stephen enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. He had something of an artistic flair in many of the things that he did. He put this creativity toward all of his pastimes. His favorite pursuits were hunting and motorcycle riding. He loved his bike! Steve took every opportunity to be on that bike and he was a presence to be reckoned with when he came riding up on his bike.      Because he liked to take risks, Stephen was a perfect match for athletics and exercise. He was enthusiastic and confident about these activities. Hunting and motorcycle sports. Stephen was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were hunting, fishing, motor cross and Nascar.      Stephen was a gifted problem solver who worked hard to help accomplish group goals. This skill made him a wonderful asset to the various groups and organizations to which he belonged. Always matter-of-fact about what needed to be done, Stephen worked steadily to meet any organization’s goals. Throughout his later years, Stephen was an active member of the Patriot Guard and Rolling Thunder, Marine Corp Association, Toys for Tots, Bikers for Babies and anything that supported military veterans.      Stephen was a generous man who prized that same quality in others. So it’s little wonder that he was so active and giving in his community. Politically, Stephen was a strong republican.         Stephen was a lover of animals and he had many pets throughout his lifetime.       Stephen passed away on July 18, 2008 at Crittendon County Hospital in West Memphis, Arkansas. He was 49. Stephen died suddenly on his job at a church that he was installing a sprinkler system in. God picked the perfect place for him to go. He is survived by his wife Robin, children Amanda and Christina, Grandchildren Scott, Lindsi and Kayla, Brothers Kenneth and Leonard, sisters, Vicky and Angela. Viewing was at Memphis Funeral Home. Stephen was laid to rest in West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery.      Stephen was the kind of person who touched the lives of everyone he meet. He was a great storyteller. If you put him with his cousin Carla, they would entertain you for hours. Carla has a way of telling stories about Steve that would bring tears to your eyes. Those two together were trouble. They were more like best friends then just cousins. Stephen will be remembered for his selflessness and love. He was a very giving and caring man who loved his family dearly and will be missed by everyone.