Mr. Gene Allfrey Hester

Gene Allfrey Hester was born in Louisville Kentucky on August 16, 1937, as the first-born son to Ashford and Doris Hester. He had two younger brothers William Hester and James Hester. The family moved to Athens Alabama where Gene grew up. Around the age of 7yrs old, Gene’s father Ashford Hester passed away leaving his wife with three young boys. His mother worked multiple jobs to pay the bills and keep food on the table. When Gene got a bit older, he had a newspaper route where he delivered newspapers on his bicycle. The family remained in Athens Alabama where Gene graduated Athens High School. Gene did very well in school and was very much involved in sports. Football being his favorite sport. His Athens HS football team was the only team at Athens High School to ever win State Champions. His love for the sport included his love for the Alabama College football team (Roll Tide Roll). Gene loved all sports. He also played baseball, basketball, and soft ball. It was in high school where he would meet his high school sweetheart and love of his life Janice Romine. The two married in June 1955. Meanwhile, after he and his brothers were grown his mother Doris remarried and added to the family twins Samuel Sweetland and Sandra Mc Lemore. About the same time, in January of 1956, Gene and Janice had their first son Michael Rand Hester. Eventually, Gene, Janice, and their son known as Randy, moved to Clearwater Florida. Gene worked at Hoods factory canning orange juice to support his wife and child. In May of 1958 they had their daughter Kathy Layne Hester.

Gene now has a family of 4 and finds a job working as a laborer for Raynor Plaster and Drywall Company. Gene worked 7 days a week learning the trade and eventually bought his first home in Clearwater that was a fixer upper. Gene’s family continued to grow as 4 years later he had his next son Bradley Jay Hester then two years later his third son Alan Brett Hester. Meanwhile, Gene has continued his work at Raynor Company learning the business and left quite an impression on the owner of the company Bill Raynor. Learning the construction trade was beneficial. His family grew to 6. He needed to expand and remodel his home to accommodate his growing family and that he did. Gene gathered up some friends and took a small two-bedroom two bath house and remodeled the house to a 4-bedroom 3 bath home with a pool. Gene’s family spent 25 years in that home. He sold their home in Clearwater and he built his first brand new home in Palm Harbor, Florida on a canal on Lake Tarpon. Still working for Raynor Company Gene had learned so much of the business he was now a Top Executive and eventually purchased Raynor Company and became the owner. Now that is working your way to the top! He was an amazing businessperson and employer. His employees had so much respect for him. He was always fair and had respect for every employee who ever worked for him. Gene never forgot the opportunity he received when he first went to work for Raynor Company Gene provided opportunities for other young men to grow with the company as he did. He would also bring his sons into the business and teach them the trade that has been beneficial to each of them. The construction community all knew Gene Hester. They all had so much respect and admiration for his work ethics and his knowledge of the business. Gene spent 45 years at Raynor Company and sold the company when he retired at 65. He continued to do consulting work for a couple of years thereafter before he fully retired.

Although Gene was proud of all he had done in Florida, there was no place like Sweet Home Alabama. He found a piece of property on the Tennessee River in Rogersville Alabama just outside of Athens and built another beautiful home on the river with a huge back porch under the trees overlooking the river. Gene loved the river. In his later years, the house in Alabama is where he wanted to be. Gene loved to fish. He still went to High School Reunions to visit with old friends. He was home and close to his family and his old friends in Alabama. Gene had his home on the Tennessee River in Alabama and on Lake Tarpon in Florida and of course his bass boats. The best of both worlds. Gene fished whenever he had the chance and there were plenty of fish fries. He also loved hunting. He got together with his hunting friends each year at the hunting cabins for a weekend or a week of hunting during hunting season.

Gene was a very patient, compassionate, kind, and loving man. Anyone that knew him will never forget his sense of humor no matter the situation, Gene loved a good joke. He would always ask. "Have you heard any good ones lately?" Gene always put a smile on your face. Gene Hester always was honest, fair, and well respected in his personal life and in business. He loved life and life loved him. His life was full and fun.

Gene spent the last 2.5 months in the hospital after falling ill in February of 2022. There were good days and not so good days. We laughed with him and cried with him. We held his hand and let him know how proud we were of him and how much he was loved. Although his communication was limited, he let us know that he knew we were there for him through it all. We loved him and he loved us.

Gene Hester, we love you and miss you. You will continue to live forever in our hearts. Thank you for all you gave to everyone. Until we meet again. RIP.

"I love you Dad. Your only daughter, Kathy Hester-Mays"

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Gene Allfrey Hester, 84, of Palm Harbor Florida passed away on April 21, 2022 at Hospice Palm Harbor after a long illness. Gene was predeceased by his parents Ashford and Doris, his brother William Hester, and his oldest son Michael Rand Hester.

He is survived by his spouse Janice Romine Hester, two brothers James Hester and Samuel Sweetland and one sister Sandra Mc Lemore. Two Sons, Bradley Jay Hester, Alan Brett Hester and one daughter Kathy Hester-Mays. Three grandchildren Kristina, Marcy and Cody, 4 great grandchildren, Maryssa, Katelyn, Shayden and Chase as well as one great-great grandson Levi. A Celebration of Life will be held at Sylvan Abbey Funeral Home in Clearwater on Saturday May 14th 2-4 p.m.

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