THURMAN O'NEAL HESTER

HESTER, THURMAN O'NEAL (T.O.) - died Thursday, June 6, 2013, at the Morningview Transitional Care Unit in Maryville, TN. Mr. Hester was born in Franklin County, Alabama on May 21, 1922. He graduated from Belgreen High School in 1940 and attended Berry College in Rome, Georgia until World War II interrupted his educational plans. He had further study at Lehigh University during his time in the service. During World War II, Mr. Hester served in the 84th Infantry Division (Railsplitters) 333rd Infantry Regiment G Company in the European Theater from November, 1944 until after the end of the war in Europe. His company saw action in France, Belgium, Germany and was heavily involved in the "Battle of the Bulge". Mr. Hester was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge and received the Purple Heart. Mr. Hester worked as an accountant and office manager for Blount Electric System and the City of Alcoa for over 30 years until his retirement in 1987. Following that, he served as Financial Secretary for First Baptist Church of Alcoa from 1985-2007. He was a member of the Alcoa Kiwanis Club, where he accumulated 50 years of perfect attendance. He served on the Alcoa City Schools Foundation Board for many years and served two terms on the Alcoa School Board 1972-1977. He was a longtime member of Alcoa First Baptist Church and served as Treasurer for 51 years. Mr. Hester was husband to Elizabeth Fern McCain Hester of Lexington, AL for 54 years and father to three children. Mr. Hester was preceded in death by his wife, parents, Eugene and Dora Hester, and brothers, Glasgow, J.C., and Noble Hester. Mr. Hester is survived by his three children, Ricke O'Neal Hester (Pam) of Jefferson City, TN, Tessa Marie Swinehart (Randy) of Hendersonville, TN, Jed Lemuel Hester (Joy) of Alcoa; and seven grandchildren, USAF Captain Chad Swinehart of Alamogordo, NM; Tori Swinehart of Hendersonville, TN, Logan and Grayson Hester of Jefferson City, TN, and Luke, Jeremiah and Levi Hester of Alcoa; great grandson, Wyatt Swinehart. He is also survived by his brother Horace of Russellville, AL; several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be at 5:00 p.m. Saturday in McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home Chapel with receiving of friends after the service from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Family and friends will meet at 2:00 p.m. Sunday at Sherwood Memorial Gardens for the interment service with Military Honors. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Alcoa City Schools Foundation or First Baptist Church of Alcoa. McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home, Maryville 982-6812. www.mccammonammonsclick.com