Clay Davis Jester

Gresham resident Clay David Jester passed away on January 19, 2011. He was 66. A gathering to share memories and stories about Clay will be held at 10 am on Thursday, January 27 at Bateman Carroll Funeral Home. A graveside service with Military Honors will be held at 11:30 on Thursday, January 27 at Willamette National Cemetery.

Clay was born July 26, 1944 in Woodville, Mississippi to Clarence and Edith (Brazil) Jester. The family moved to Gresham when Clay was in his early teens and he graduated from Gresham High School in 1963. Clay joined the United States Air Force in February of 1965. On June 25, 1966 Clay married Karen Hartney. Clay served in the Vietnam War and years later in Desert Storm. During his time in the service, he earned an Associate’s Degree in electronics. Clay was part of the team that developed the laser infrared guidance system used on the F4 fighter jets. He was stationed in Thailand for part of his time overseas where he developed a love of Thai food and the Thai culture. He picked up the language and was not only able to speak the Thai language, but also to read and write! Years later when he was back living in Oregon, Clay frequented many Thai restaurants and would communicate with the staff in Thai. Because of this, he became well known among many Thai restaurant employees from Eugene, Oregon to Vancouver, Washington. Clay’s position in the military required a lot of travel. He and his family moved from state to state frequently and even spent six years living in Germany. This opened the door for recreational travel as well. Clay and Karen had the opportunity to travel throughout many European countries while they were living abroad. Clay retired from the Air Force in April of 1987. He continued working in the electronics field and retired from Sears as an appliance technician.

In many ways, Clay was a “man’s man”. He loved motorcycles, guns and going shooting “with the boys”. He enjoyed the simple things in life and found much pleasure spending time in nature, going on hikes or having a picnic with his family at Oxbow Park. He was a dedicated family man and loved taking his children camping. Clay was strong-willed and had a take-charge personality. He had solid leadership qualities that got the job done and got it done right. He was the “salt of the earth”: he grew up dirt poor and learned from an early age to work hard and achieve success. He was not flashy or outgoing but rather a deep and methodical thinker. Conversations with Clay were never shallow – his conversations were always very intellectual and stimulating. He never put on airs or boasted; humility was his greatest strength. Clay was quite and humble, compassionate and loving.

Clay was preceded in death by his brothers, John Jester and Ernest Jester. He is survived by his wife, Karen Jester of Gresham, OR; daughters, Laura Keith and her husband, William of Troutdale, OR; Lynne Ayers of Gresham, OR; sons, Clayton Jester of Portland, OR; Matthew Jester and his wife, Alexis of Vancouver, WA; Mark Jester of Colorado Springs, CO; and 7 grandchildren, Brandon Keith, Nathan Keith, Ryan Keith, Aleigha Keith, Ivy Jester, Jadabug Jester and Samantha Jester.

Arrangements under the direction of Bateman Carroll Funeral Home, Gresham, OR.