Hester, Roa Maxey 1925-2009

HESTER, WHITLOCK, GARRETT, SIGAFOOSE, LAMMERS, GRETZ, SHEETS, NORRIS, MAYER, BURNHAM

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 7/21/2010 at 11:32:00

Poweshiek County Chronicle-Republican; March 18, 2009

MAXEY HESTER, 84

Maxey Hester, 84, of Montezuma, passed away Tuesday, March 10, 2009, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City. Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 14, at 10:30 a.m., at the Holland-Coble Funeral Home. Interment was in the Jackson Township Cemetery in Montezuma. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church and Family Center, or the Montezuma Fire Department.

Roa Maxey Hester, son of Elbert and Daisy (Whitlock) Hester was born Jan. 7, 1925 in Alma, Ark. In 1943, Maxey left Alma High School to enlist in the U.S. Navy. He served on the USS ALHENA (AKA-9) Cargo Ship until he was honorably discharged in 1946. On Dec. 24, 1947, Maxey was united in marriage to Billie Garrett in Fort Smith, Ark. To this union, six children were born, Danial, Joyce, Nancy, Doris, David and Harold. They moved to the Des Moines area where Maxey worked as a finish caprenter for a few years. He loved to build and fly model airplanes. In 1967, Maxey became the plant manager for Sig Manufacturing Co. Inc. He had always been a "hands on" manager and was very much involved in the company's operations. On Oct. 6, 1978, Billie passed away. Maxey married Hazel Sigafoose on Dec. 10, 1981, in Montezuma. Together they continued to run Sig Manufacturing until 1999, when they sold the business and retired. Maxey was an active air show pilot in the full-scale circuit and, along with his wife, Hazel, flew the Sig "air force" of some seven aircraft. These included three famous Spacewalkers. Maxey enjoyed flying, building model airplanes, fishing, and playing on his computer. He was on the United States radio control model airplane team for three different years and flew in Germany, France, and England. Maxey served as a contest director both locally and nationally. He was a charter member and first president of the Des Moines Model Aires RC Club, and a charter member of NMPRA. He was a lifelong member of the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) and the Experimental Aircraft Association. He was also inducted into the AMA Hall of Fame.

His memory is honored by his wife, Hazel of Montezuma; three daughters, Joyce Hester of Montezuma, Nancy (Tony) Lammers of Brooklyn, and Doris (Mike) Gretz of Montezuma; his sister, LaMatha Sheets of North Little Rock, Ark.; 11 grandchildren, Bryan Hester, Penny Hester, Clayton Hester, Jennifer (Junior) Norris, Elizabeth (Brad) Mayer, Michael Lammers, Darlene (Wesley) Burhnam, David (Angie) Gretz, Nicholas Hester, Lauren Hester and Austin Hester; and ten great-grandchildren.

Maxey was preceded in death by his parents, Elbert and Daisy Hester; his wife, Billie; three sons, Danial Hester, David Hester, and Harold Hester; his brother, Donald Ray Hester; and a granddaughter Esther Gretz.