Kenneth Harold Kester

April 8, 1935 – June 22, 2023

Kenneth passed away peacefully on June 22, 2023 at Cottage in the Meadow after a battle with cancer.

Kenneth served in the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard spanning 21 years. He and his family traveled and lived all around the country and abroad.

In addition to serving, Ken was very devoted to his wife and family. He had many activities and hobbies he enjoyed.

In his youth, Ken was an altar boy at St. Michaels Episcopal Church and was an Eagle Scout. While he was in high school, he enlisted into the Navy and then the Coast Guard where he served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars and retired in 1973. He continued his education in Electronic Communications through correspondence courses and received several accreditations.

Kenneth attended YVCC after retirement where he was on the Presidents and Deans lists. He was then asked to stay on and teach for some time afterwards. He then went on to start his own business, designing computerized components for manufacturing machinery.

Ken was a member of the American Legion, Yakima Amateur Radio Club and volunteered for the American Red Cross. He loved to fish, hunt, ride motorcycles and snowmobiles. He especially loved his sports cars and enjoyed several road trips around the country with family and friends.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Kathleen Kester. He also has numerous extended family, friends and very special neighbors. He was respected and loved by everyone who knew him. He was an example to live by for all of us.

He is survived by his brother Dennis Fleischman (Diane), his children Dawn C. Skogen (Michael), Denise A. Kester-Cure (M. Walter), Diana M. Garner (Mark), Bryan N. Kester and over 25 grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The family would like to relay a special thanks to Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle for all the care and support as well as North Star and Cottage in the Meadow for making his transition a loving and peaceful one.

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