James Elliott Jester

James Elliott Jester of Greensboro died Thursday, July 5th after a lengthy illness. He was 65 years old. A memorial service will be held at Hanes Lineberry North Elm Chapel on Sunday, July 15th at 2:00 pm.

Jim was born in Greensboro, NC in 1946 to Elizabeth “Betty” Brown Jester and John Carlton Jester, Jr. He was the youngest of three children who all grew up on West Market Street in a home that was always open to friends and relatives with the warmest hospitality.

By all accounts “Jimmy” was the happiest of little boys; playing with his friends in the local creek, having peashooter fights and bringing home snakes and other prizes in jars. Betty recalled his bringing home a snake that she declared “would have to go or she would” to which he replied, “I sure will miss you, mother!” On another occasion he asked if he might have a rabbit. His parents told him that if he could catch one, he could keep it. So, he set out a trap in the vacant lot next door and soon there appeared a beautiful, white rabbit in the trap. A friend of the family, Richard Robinson, had conspired with Jim to plant the bunny, but his doting parents let him keep it anyway. An ability to make good things happen in the most endearing way was a trait Jim would never outgrow.

Jim attended Lindley Elementary School, Kaiser Junior High School, and Grimsley High School, graduating in 1964. He went on to Chapel Hill to the University of North Carolina where he received his degree in history and was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity. At UNC, ever the true jester, Jim was known for his practical jokes, but he was also valued for his sobriety, his integrity and his steadfast friendships. His senior year he met his future wife, Sheri Severson and they were married in 1968.

After graduation from UNC Jim went into the Marine Corp as a second lieutenant and began flight school in Pensacola, Florida, where he earned his wings as a fighter pilot, flying the F-4 Phantom jet. After moving to various training facilities in Mississippi, Texas and California he was assigned to fighter wing VMFA 212, Kaneohe Marine Corps Air Station on the island of Oahu. In 1973 Jim left the Marine Corps as a captain and he and his wife, Sheri, stayed on in Hawaii, selling real estate. After he left the Marine Corps many people asked him why he did not go on to fly commercial jets, to which he would reply, “ That’s like asking Richard Petty if he would like to leave racing and become a taxi driver!“

In 1975, after the birth of their first daughter, Elizabeth, they moved to Sarasota, Florida where he managed a construction firm. In 1977 he joined his brother, John, as a partner in the Jester Company, manufacturers representatives to colleges and universities, and returned to Greensboro. A second daughter, Mary Kathryn, was born there in 1978.

Jim enjoyed many pastimes and hobbies. He was an exceptional photographer who traveled to every continent except Antarctica taking pictures. He loved to hike, camp, fly fish, canoe, bird watch, garden, play racquetball, practice yoga, and follow the stock market. He found the greatest joy in time spent with his family and friends, and there were so many friends all over the country that he kept in touch with.

Jim is survived by his wife, Sheri; daughters, Elizabeth Zook and Mary Burch, and five grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Martha Mader of Raleigh and his brother, John Jester of Greensboro .

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Nature Conservancy, 4705 University Drive, Ste. 290, Durham, NC 27707 or online at my.nature.org.

Online condolences may be made to haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com.