Kyra Ann Kester

1950 - 2018

Kyra (Carol) Ann Kester Kyra Kester was born July 6, 1950, in Chicago, Illinois, and died April 21, 2018, in Olympia, Washington, at the home of friends. Kyra's parents were William Kester and Jhonny Ray Kester. Kyra was the widow of Loren Johnson, who passed away in 2005. In 1970, Kyra arrived in the Northwest from St. Louis as a VISTA Volunteer in Port Angeles, Washington. She obtained her undergraduate education at Washington University in St. Louis and The Evergreen State College. In 1986, she received a Master of Arts degree in History from Western Washington University and, in 1992, her Doctor of Philosophy in History from University of Washington. Her dissertation was entitled, "Shadows of War: The Historical Dimensions and Social Implications of Military Psychology and Veteran Counseling in the United States, 1860-1989." From 1992 to 1998, Kyra taught history at several colleges and universities in the Northwest. From 1998 to 2007, she worked for The Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. She was the Director of Secondary Education and Career Preparation, and later, Assistant Superintendent of Government Relations. In 2007, she moved to WSU as a Senior Research Associate for the Washington State University Social and Economic Sciences Research Center. She retired in 2014. Kyra loved history, travel and sharing culinary adventures with family and friends. She had very eclectic talents and was often ahead of her times. In the early 1970s, with a partner, she opened one of the first businesses selling supplies for making homemade beer and wine. This business was located on East Lake Union in Seattle. She also wrote music for "The No Toy Boys," a local Olympia band. Her most famous collaborative composition was "Old Mr. Boston," recorded in 1978. She is survived by her sister, Nancy Quaethem and her children, stepson Noel Johnson (Chris Matter), step-daughter, Katie Bang (Josh Bang), and grandchildren, Raine Johnson, Beckett, Stella and Sawyer Rinehard, Reagan and Loren Bang; as well as too many friends, family and friends who are family to count. She will be missed by all. A Remembrance is planned for Sunday, June 10, 2018, at the Montlake Community Center, 1618 E. Calhoun St., Seattle, WA 98112, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. If you are planning to attend, please RSVP at: flunkemkester@gmail.com In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a charity of your choice or one Kyra supported, Doctors Without Borders or Heifer. Please share memories at www.FuneralAlternatives.org.