Jarod Scott Hester was born at Hendrick Medical Center on January 7, 1981 to Jimmy and Patricia Hester. Jarod accepted Jesus as his Savior at the age of 9, and was baptized at Caps Baptist Church. He passed away Tuesday, March 20, 2018 at the age of 37.

Jarod attended Jane Long Elementary, Mann Middle School and Abilene High School, graduating in 1999. He loved cars from the first time he held a Mattel Hot Wheel. He attended Lincoln Tech in Arlington, and worked as an automotive mechanic at Boardwalk Auto Group’s Volkswagen and Lamborghini shops in Dallas for 15 years before returning to his West Texas roots. He married Laura Gibb in Dallas on February 8, 2013. They moved to Merkel in 2016. He joined Boy Scouts of America at a young age, and eventually earned the Eagle Scout Rank as a member of Troop 3 in Abilene, Texas.

Jarod was predeceased by his grandparents, J.L. (Buster) and Pauleen Hester and Joe and Patsy McDuff; an aunt, Judy Dudley; and two uncles, Wayne Hester and Mike Hester.

He is survived by his parents; wife Laura; brother Galen Hester and wife Basilia; two nieces, Atticus and Roslin (who called him “Uncle Pumpkin”); brother-in-law Doug Gibb of Louisiana; an uncle, Mike Dudley; several aunts, cousins and many friends whom he enjoyed being with and who understood his unique sense of humor.

Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 PM Monday, March 26, 2018 at Starbuck Funeral Home. Funeral service will be 11:00 AM Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at First Baptist Church, 301 Locust in Merkel. Burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Wounded Warrior Project, any Veteran’s organization or the donor’s favorite charity.

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