Family and friends thank God for the life of Louis Boyd Fester (aka Hank) who passed away peacefully on August 23, 2018 surrounded by family and friends. Louis was born, January 31, 1927 in Slick Lake, PA to Carrie Myers Fester and Louis John Fester.
Just as he turned 17 years old he enlisted in the Navy for two years as he assisted in the first assault of U.S Troops landing on the shores of Iwo Jima. Joined the Army for two years and in 1950 joined the National Guard for two more years.
October 3, 1946, he married Lois Jean Reichard and settled down in Ford City, PA, where they were blessed with two sons, James Louis and Gary Lee. He loved family and his church thereby became an ordained Presbyterian Deacon in 1950. Years later, the Fester family moved to Arizona due to Lois Jean’s health. Sadly, Lois Jean passed away.
He had worked for the city of Flagstaff, AZ, Northern Arizona University and had built a home in Chino Valley, AZ.
January 13, 1969, married Consuelo Rivas Perez in Mesa, AZ. combining blessed families and belonging to Holy Cross Church in Mesa, AZ. They had a wonderful life raising the children. In 2000, Hank slipped on ice at work leaving him wheelchair bound. They were able to enjoy 40 years of marriage before the love of his life, Consuelo, passed away of cancer December 30, 2008.
Hank will be remembered as a wonderful husband, father and friend. He had passion for life, loving people, gardening (he was so please about his tomato plants this year), farming, making and fixing things, horses, cattle and operating machinery. In spite of his condition, in his later years, he would “go for a walk with Buddy” as he would say, meeting new friends and talking to neighbors along the way.
Hank is survived by his faithful companion, “Buddy”, his sister, Patricia Humphreys Sanko of Bridgeville, PA, his sons, James Louis of PA and Gary Lee of TX, 2 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and the extended children, grandchildren, great grandchildren of the Perez family.
Memorial Services will be at Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery, 7900 E Main St, Mesa, AZ, on Friday, September 7, 2018 at 9:00am. After the memorial, there will be a gathering to celebrate the life of this dear man.
We wish to thank Infinity Hospice for their diligent care! In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Infinity Hospice Care LLC, Phoenix, AZ.
Very sorry to hear of this. I remember Hank and his family back in his Ford City days as I was friends with his son Gary. My thoughts and prayer go out to his family and friends.