Services for Melvin Dean Hester, age 82, will be held Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at 11:00 AM at First United Methodist Church with internment to follow at Bethlehem Baptist Church. Rev. Keith Goodlett will officiate the services. Noah Hester, Patrick Hester, Ben Knight, Dean Hester, Alex Hester, and Rex Tanner will serve as pallbearers. The family will accept friends and family one hour before the service at First United Methodist Church.

Mr. Hester was born in Dublin, Georgia on February 26, 1941 to the late Elbert Elson "Mutt" Hester and the late Mary Louise Horton Hester. He graduated from Dublin High School in 1959 where he was a star basketball player. He was a four-year basketball starter and co-captain. He then went to Georgia Southern College where he graduated in 1963 with a Bachelor's Degree. Following his graduation, he and his wife moved to Yulee, FL where he served as a basketball coach for two years. After consolidation, he coached at Fernandina Beach High School. After his time in Florida, his family moved back home to Dublin where he started a career at JP Stevens where he eventually became Plant Manager. He retired in 1991 after 23 years of service. He was an avid golfer and a member of the Dublin Country Club. He was the former president of the American Cancer Society and a loyal member of Dublin First United Methodist Church.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his sister, Linda Kay Hester, and brother, John E. Hester.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Gail Minton Hester of Dublin; son, Minton Dean (Meda) Hester of Dublin; grandson, Dean (Vanessa) Hester of Simpsonville, SC; great-grandchildren, Andy and Anagail Hester of Simpsonville, SC; grandson, Alex (Erin) Hester of Dublin; great-grandchild, Hank Hester of Dublin; son, Morris Glenn (Dina) Hester of Dublin; grandchildren, Noah Hester, Patrick Hester, and Chloe Hester, all of Dublin; sister, Wanda (Doug) Metts of Dublin; brother, Dan (Lori) Hester of Dublin; and several nieces and nephews.

Flower are accepted or donations to First United Methodist Church general fund.

Townsend Brothers Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements.

Please visit www.townsendfuneralhome.com to sign the online memorial register.