A graveside service, with military honors, will be held for SFC T. J. Hester, US Army (Ret.) at Fort Jackson National Cemetery on Friday, January 8, 2016 at 11 o'clock. Visitation will be from 5 until 7 o'clock Thursday evening at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road, Columbia.

Mr. Hester passed away on Monday, January 4, 2016, at Palmetto Health Richland Hospital after a brief illness.

He was born April 28, 1936 in Whigham, GA to the late Tobe and Daisy Hester. He retired from the US Army in May, 1976 after serving 20 years; he served in France, England, Germany, Japan and two tours in Vietnam, as well as several bases in the US. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal; Meritorious Service Medal; Army Commendation Medal; Good conduct Medal (6th award); Army of Occupation Medal; National Defense Medal; Vietnam Service Medal; and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. Mr. Hester also retired from Civil Service at Fort Jackson in 1993 after serving 17 years.

He is survived by his wife of more than 58 years, Marcia; sons and daughters-in-law, Gary W. and Laura Hester, Columbia, SC, Michael A. and Betsy Langan Hester, Key West, FL, Steven L. Hester, Columbia, SC; granddaughters, Leslie E. (Keith) Medlin, Columbia, SC, Tracy L. (Jonathan) Henry, Lugoff, SC, and Brittany L. Hester, Columbia, SC; great grandchildren, Greyson A. Hester, Savannah G. Henry, Kaitlyn J. Henry, Jonathan M. Henry III, London E. Medlin, Levi J. Medlin, Jacob E. Thomas (due March, 2016); sister, Betty Ann Mathis, Cairo, GA; brothers, James Hester, Molina, FL, and Howell (Barbara) Hester, Largo, FL; sisters-in-law, Suellen Hester, Cairo, GA, and Merle Cummings, Brooksville, FL.

He was predeceased by his parents, Tobe and Daisy Hester; sisters, Helen Collins and Ruth Lambert; brothers, Jack, Hayward, and Billie Hester.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice.