Funeral services for Coach Joe Hester, 85, of Livingston, Texas, will be held Saturday, May 1, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. in the Cochran Funeral Home Chapel in Livingston, Texas with Bro. John Taylor officiating. Interment will follow in the Restland Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. until the service begins at 2:00 p.m. in the funeral home. All attendees are encouraged to wear your school's colors.

C oach Hester was born January 27, 1936 in Athens, Texas to parents, Webster Hester and Nora (Henry) Hester, and passed away April 21, 2021 in Livingston, Texas. He is preceded in death by his parents, and sisters, Caroline and Sally.

During his life, Coach Hester graduated from Lutcher Stark High School in 1956. Upon graduating, he enrolled at Lamar University where he played football from 1957-1959. Coach graduated in 1960 with a Bachelor's of Science and later went on to receive his Master's degree in Education from Sam Houston State University. He began his esteemed coaching career at West Orange Junior High and had a long list of national, state and district champions in the pole vault, while touching the lives of many during his extensive career. In addition to West Orange-Stark, his coaching stops included high schools at Little Cypress-Mauriceville, Lutcher Stark, Orangefield, Livingston, Coldspring and Cleveland. Though his achievements are known throughout the track and field community, his teachings extend further than many are aware. Coach Hester imparted his wisdom to hundreds of vaulters who were not his students, while helping them to championships. He purchased equipment for individuals and school districts who could not afford it and spread his love for the sport to many who would otherwise not have access.

At Livingston, he mentored Clint Hughes to a state championship in 2005 with a vault of 16'6". At the latest UIL Track and Field State Meet in Austin, Hester helped Livingston's Montana Piper, who would sign with Stephen F. Austin University the next year, to a fifth-place finish. In all, he coached a total of 16 state champions. In summer track, he produced 27 national champions, all in pole vault except one, who won in discus.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Hester of Livingston; daughter, Selena Marie Elliott and husband, Patrick of Waxahachie; son, John Lance Hester and wife, Renee of McKinney; step-son, Christopher Taylor and wife, Breanna of Kilgore; step-son, Ryan Taylor of Orange; grandchildren, Morgan Elliott, Hailey Hester, Allison Hester, and Liam Taylor; and sisters, Virginia Dowden of Orange, Christine Payne of Silsbee, and Dakota Garcia of Orange; along with numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Pallbearers: Ron Hester, James Sykes, Wayne Guidry, Jacob Davis, Corky Cochran, Billy Lambeth

Honorary Pallbearers: All past pole vaulters trained by Coach Hester