John Carlton Jester III

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.