Samuel Lee Kesterson, 92, of Briarcliff Health Care Center, formerly of Lee Road, South Clinton, died Wednesday at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge. He had been a resident at the center for two years.

A native of Anderson County, he was the son of the late William Thomas and Lillian Evans Kesterson.

Mr. Kesterson’s wife, Ocie Byrd Kesterson, died in October of 1991.

He worked for many years as a deputy sheriff and as a constable in Anderson County. He also worked for the Clinton Police Department. During World War II, Mr. Kesterson was employed at the K-25 Plant in Oak Ridge and later at Magnet Mills in Clinton.

In earlier years, he transferred mail from the train station to the post office for the postal service.

A member of Ridgeview Community Church, he also belonged to the local FOP Lodge.

His daughter, Lois Bunch, said her father raised hunting dogs several years ago and until 1987, a special hobby was raising and showing chickens. At one time he had 28 different breeds and 400 chickens. The exotic breeds won hundreds of ribbons.

Survivors include a daughter, Lois K. Bunch of Clinton; grandchildren, Chelton Forrest Bunch and his wife, Sandra of Center, AL; Kevin Douglas Bunch and his wife, Debbie of Clinton; great-grandchildren, Bethany, Ryan, Kim and Maranda; several nieces and nephews.

Services were held Thursday night at Holley-Gamble Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Paul Cox and the Rev. J.T. Hill officiating. Burial was Friday at Sunset Cemetery.

Source:
Clinton Courier News
28/29 March 1993