At funeral, Deacon Herschel Hester recalled as a man who ‘gave his life to Jesus Christ’

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Deacon Hershel Hester

Deacon Herschel G. Hester III, who died May 3 at the age of 82, was not satisfied with the things of the world, but instead “he spent his life working for the things above, the things of heaven – that is where he found his satisfaction,” said Father Joseph Minuth in his homily during the funeral Mass, celebrated May 18 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Ogden.

At funerals, sometimes the emphasis is on prayers for God’s mercy, but “sometimes, with someone like Deacon Herschel, we simply thank God,” Fr. Minuth said.

Another staple of a homily at a funeral is an emphasis on the love and mercy of Jesus Christ, “but at the same time, to talk about a deacon is to talk about the life of Jesus Christ. And so we thank Deacon [Hester] for a life well lived,” Fr. Minuth said.

He thought it was a great comfort to the family to know “with great confidence that deacon is in the hands of God,” he said.

Deacon Hester reached out to people of all faiths, which is something that is needed in the world today, he said.

“Oftentimes the churches have to work together more so than ever before, and the deacon was a great leader in that regard, working with our brothers and sisters in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and with Protestant denominations, focusing on our love of Jesus Christ and … our love of God that unites us.”

Fr. Minuth thanked Deacon Hester for his work, and said, “We have to remember that when Jesus Christ was born, one of the angels [proclaimed the good news] ‘to all people, to all people  of good will.’”

Fr. Minuth also acknowledged Deacon Hester’s longtime leadership in the Boy Scouts of America, and his service in the U.S. Navy Reserve.

The Bible says that the things of this world do not satisfy, and “they did not satisfy the deacon,” Fr. Minuth said. “He spent his life working for the things above, the things of heaven – that is where he found his satisfaction. … He can inspire us. He dedicated his life to a higher cause, to something greater than just himself. And I think if he could tell us anything, that’s what it would be right now, to pursue that greater love. He gave his life to Jesus Christ. He found fullness and happiness and joy and meaning and purpose – something that the world is so desperate to find. He found it in Jesus Christ, and we believe whole-heartedly, with great confidence, that having lived his life for Jesus Christ, he is with him, forever in the heart of our Father.”

Deacon Hester was born on May 11, 1941 to Herschel and Virginia Hester in Parsons, Kansas. After moving to Ogden in 1959, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Weber State College in 1965 and a Master of Science from Utah State University in 1967.

Herschel married Jonnalyne Walker on July 21, 1991.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserve in 1978, and during his 22 years of service he had numerous assignments, including with a number of aviation squadrons, service on the USS Enterprise and a special active-duty period when he was ordered to the U.S. Naval Academy with the assignment to reorganize the Academy library.

Following his retirement as a U.S. Naval Reservist in 2001, he was ordained a deacon for the Diocese of Salt Lake City by Bishop George H. Niederauer in 2004. He was assigned to St. James the Just Parish in Ogden, where he faithfully served for 15 years.

Deacon Hester earned numerous recognitions during the 62 years he was involved with Scouting, including the District Award of Merit, the James E. West Fellowship Award, the Silver Beaver distinction, the Whitney M. Young Junior Award and the William D. Boyce Unit Organizer Award. He also served as chairman of the Diocese of Salt Lake City Committee on Catholic Scouting.

He is survived by his wife, Jonnalyne; daughter Shelleice and Monte Stokes; stepson Dennis Lee and Janet Forsgren; his sister-in-law Gale Hester; half-sister Sandy Glascow; seven grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his father Herschel G. Hester, Jr.; mother Virginia Margaret Hudspeth; brother Rev. David C. Hester; and daughter Kristin Lynn Hawkins.