Luther "Sandy" Sanford Hester Jr.

Sandy’s celebration will be casual with a request for no black. In honor of Sandy’s upbeat and fun-loving personality, this will be a celebratory event. Refreshments will follow a brief program.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations may be made to his minor daughter’s college fund: https://www.gofundme.com/f/sandy-hester-memorial-college-fund-for-daughter?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1

If you have photos or thoughts you would like to share, please reach out to the family at [email protected] or 9105207926. Please RSVP if possible for the celebration in order to help plan for refreshments. Prayers are always welcome and appreciated. Private family burial to be held at a date/time TBA.

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Luther Sanford Hester Jr (Sandy) was born on New Year’s Eve, December 31,1954. He loved to say that the whole world (except China) threw a party for his birthday. Sandy was like a party himself. He lived to make other people smile and laugh.

Sandy was born to Jo Lane Mckeithan Hester and Luther Sanford Hester. He lived his whole life within a mile of their home. He went to Acme Delco school from first grade through his senior year. He took great pride in being from Delco, and loved the rural area he called home his entire life.

Sandy was married in his teens and had one child (Tracy) by that brief marriage. Tracy also grew up in Delco with the close-knit Hester family. Priscilla (Sandy's sister), Sandy, and his parents all lived next door to each other till he was over 50 years old.

He worked for over 30 years at Dupont where he developed lifelong friends. Sandy loved all things water, especially when with friends. He was a champion skier, a master diver, and a skilled spear fisherman. Sandy tournament fished for a number of years, often winning. Sandy also loved all things fast and classic cars. He had a number of race cars and speed watercrafts in his life. He grew up fascinated with racing, and he raced throughout his life. In his 50’s he would race young marines at a Jacksonville drag strip and often win.

Sandy spent most of his adult life as a bachelor. At age 44, Sandy dedicated his life to Christ. He then decided to live alone and focus solely on his faith walk with God unless God clearly directed him to a woman to be his wife and soulmate.

At 49 years old, Sandy met the love of his life, Elizabeth. Both of them had experienced only broken romantic relationships prior to their meeting. Elizabeth had also spent those same past 5 years alone and seeking God after her divorce.

From the moment they met until the moment he went to be with Jesus, they were inseparable. They both believed God had given them a second chance at life with each other. Sandy and Elizabeth were married June 18, 2005 along with her son, Caleb (who was 10 at the time).

Sandy had planned on retiring in his late 50’s but at age 53, he became a Dad to Mary Elizabeth Hester. From the moment he saw her to the last breath he took, she was the center of his world. She was the bright and shining light in his life.

Sandy never missed a ballet performance, a basketball game, or anything that Mary did. If he was not at work providing for her, he was working on fun for her. Kneeboarding, target shooting, traveling, swimming, practicing basketball; there was nothing Sandy treasured more than enjoying life with his princess. He loved to tease Elizabeth that she had been the love of his life until she gave birth, then she was just a little under that!

Sandy always worried that he would not be able to live long enough to provide for Mary until she grew up. His work at Dupont was physical and dangerous. He said he needed to be able to work until he died (which he did) and he had to find another solution.

He opened his first “The UPS Store'' at age 54. He had never been an entrepreneur. It took great bravery and determination to start a business for the first time in your 50’s. But Sandy was devoted to building something that would last for Mary in case he was not blessed with many years. Sandy grew to being a multi-store owner and did achieve his goal of providing for his family beyond his passing.

Sandy had a lifelong love affair with boxers. The playfulness, energy, loyalty, and affection are certainly characteristics Sandy shared with his beloved boxers. He had a boxer from the time he was a child to the two that survive him now. He refused to be without a boxer in his life! When Elizabeth married him, this was a non-negotiable. Today Mary Elizabeth carries forward this devotion to the breed with her two beloved boxer babies. We believe he is with all of his beloved pre-deceased boxers today. He always said that heaven wouldn’t be heaven without his dogs.

Also, the ability to handle a firearm and protect oneself and one’s home was every American’s duty as far as Sandy was concerned. He spent many an hour teaching and practicing with his daughter (from her first bb gun at 3 to high power firearms later) and his wife (insisting on concealment and carry). Sandy felt it was his duty to train them to be able to self protect at all times. Today, they are extremely grateful for his tutelage and provision in being able to keep themselves safe even without him. Mary especially sees herself as his marksman daughter!

Sandy was the best husband, father, and friend that anyone could dream of having. He is missed and loved beyond what words can describe. Sandy passed away of natural causes at Duke University Hospital on March 27, 2023. He is survived by his wife Elizabeth Wolfe Hester, daughter Mary Elizabeth Hester, daughter Tracy Justice (Chuck), grandsons: Grant, Cash, and Chance (Sarah) Justice, granddaughter Cayman Sanie, step son, Caleb Swinson (Lexi), sister, Priscilla Hester, and fur babies (Crystal, Prancer, and Diesel). He is predeceased by parents, Jolane and Luther Hester. He is also predeceased by his favorite beloved fur babies (Puchi, Bandit, and Brutus and Brutus Jr.).

A Celebration of Life will be held June 3rd, 2023 11:00 A.M. at Livingstones Tabernacle - 127 Sloop Point Loop Rd. Hampstead, NC 28443. Sandy’s celebration will be casual with a request for no black. In honor of Sandy’s upbeat and fun-loving personality, this will be a celebratory event. Refreshments will follow a brief program. Private family burial to be held at a date/time TBA.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations may be made to his minor daughter’s college fund: https://www.gofundme.com/f/sandy-hester-memorial-college-fund-for-daughter?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1

If you have photos or thoughts you would like to share, please reach out to the family at [email protected] or 9105207926.

Please RSVP if possible for the celebration in order to help plan for refreshments. Prayers are always welcome and appreciated.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.whitefuneralservicesupply.com for the Hester family.