The family of James "Jim" Hester is sad to announce his passing on May 15, 2023, in Sturgis, SD.

Jim was born in Crawford, NE, on December 23, 1942, to Cecil and Almida Hester.  The family moved to Rapid City, SD, where Jim attended school and graduated from Rapid City Central high school.  He then attended an auto body trade school in St. Louis, MO, and returned to Rapid City to practice his trade.

On July 21, 1962, he married Doreen Ballinger.  They had two children, Paul, born in 1963, and Lynda, born in 1965.  Jim and family moved to Cut Bank, MT, in 1967 where Jim took a position with Thompson Auto Body to continue practicing his trade.  He worked for Thompson until 1977 when he was forced to discontinue the trade due to an injury.  He then started his own professional cleaning business as well as some wood crafting.  Jim and his wife also owned a pet grooming business that they operated until 2016.

Jim's interests included modifying and fixing cars, woodcraft, painting, hunting, and spending time in the outdoors – especially Glacier National Park and the Black Hills. Along with his wife, Jim was an avid supporter of animal rescue agencies. Jim was one of the original members of the Counts of the Cobblestone car club in Rapid City.  He was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Cut Bank where he served several terms as Deacon, Elder, lay leader, and sound system manager.  Jim moved back to SD in 2018 to be near his daughter Lynda and her husband Scott Johnson.

Jim is proceeded in death by his parents, Cecil and Almida; sister, Lynda; brother, Elbert, and his wife Doreen.

He is survived by brothers, Gene and John Hester; children, Paul Hester and Lynda Johnson; grandchildren, Nichole, Lacy, Alina, and Forrestt; and great-grandchildren, Reese, Taylor, and Jameson.

A celebration of life will be held Sunday May 21, 2023, with family and friends at Sturgis Long Term Care Massa Unit. The family requests that in lieu of flowers and monetary donations, friends consider donating to their local animal rescue center.