Tom Davis Jester Jr.

Tom Davis Jester, Jr. of Denton, Texas after a twelve year battle with pancreatic cancer died August 9, 2014 surrounded by family. He was born in Ashdown, Arkansas to the late Tom Davis Jester and Evelyn Sessions Jester on February 2, 1940. Tom graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and obtained his law degree from SMU.

In 1967, Tom moved to Denton to practice law with Fred Minor in the firm now known as Minor & Jester, P.C. His law firm has received numerous awards including "Best of Denton" in the Denton Record Chronicle for the past 3 years. His daughter Jill Jester continues to practice law with four other attorneys at Minor & Jester, P.C.

A leader in his profession and the community, Tom served as Mayor of the City of Denton from l975-1976 and as a Denton City Council Member from 1972-1976. Tom was President of the Denton County Bar Association and a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation. He also served as a City of Denton Municipal Judge and a Corporation Judge. Outside of the law, Tom sat on the Board of Directors of a title company and a local bank. He was a former Director of the Denton Chamber of Commerce and of the Denton Country Club. Tom was a developer, owner and operator of apartment complexes, office and commercial buildings as well as rental residential homes in and around Denton. A man of strong Christian faith, Tom was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Denton for over 45 years.

Tom is survived by his devoted wife of over 30 years, Kathy Jester, his daughter Jill Jester and her husband Chris Rasmussen, his step-son, Craig Allen, his nieces Jennifer Jester Jackson and Wendy Jester Rogers, their families and extended family. His daughter, Angie Jester Sahm and his brother Tim Jester predeceased him. Tom was a loving father, husband, uncle and friend to all.

A viewing will be held on Tuesday, August 12, 2014 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at DeBerry Funeral Directors. The funeral will be held on Wednesday, August 13, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Denton, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to Camp Sweeney (a camp for children with diabetes at P.O. Box 918, Gainesville, Texas 76241) or the American Cancer Society.