Donald Jester, 87, of Endicott, N.Y. passed away peacefully on September 24, 2022 at Wilson Hospital in Johnson City, N.Y.
He was born August 28, 1935 in Oneonta, N.Y. the son of the late Edgar Frederic and Clive Jester. Don is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Dolores Jester; four children, Jonathan his spouse Sophia, Jane (Broglio), Brian, Kevin, his granddaughter Lily Broglio; sisters and brothers, Nancy and Bill Rasmussen, Betsy Squaires, Richard and Joan Jester, Rodney and Evelyn Jester, two sisters-in-law, Edith Jester, Nancy Jester and one brother-in-law, George Wetmore. He was predeceased by three sisters, Sally Jester, Eunice Bush, and Beverly Wetmore and three brothers Bruce, Warren, and Wayne Jester. He also had several nieces and nephews.
After graduating from SUNY Oneonta with a Bachelors of Art degree in Education, he spent 35 years as a high school educator, guidance counselor and athletic coach. He enjoyed his fishing trips to Canada, deer hunting, watching his children's sporting events, Tuesday card games, going to Binghamton University athletic events with Bernie, Tom and Bud, officiating basketball with Board 49, running road races and numerous marathons but most of all spending time with his granddaughter Lily whom he loved so dearly.
Don was especially proud of his Oneonta, N.Y 'roots' graduating from Oneonta High School and SUNY Oneonta as an accomplished Hall of Famer at both institutions. In 2003, he was inducted into the SUNY Oneonta Hall of Fame as a multi-sport athlete competing in soccer, basketball and baseball eclipsing 1,000 points in basketball and had a 15-1 career record as a pitcher in baseball. He continued his baseball career at the semi-pro level with the Milford Macs. In 2009, he was inducted into the Oneonta High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
The family wishes to express a heartfelt thank you to all of the Dr.'s, nurses, and staff at Wilson Hospital for their wonderful care that they gave to Don.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date; in lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Bruce Jester Scholarship Fund, OHS Alumni Association, PO Box 604, Oneonta, NY 13820.
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