James "Jim" Hester, age 80, of Georgetown passed away on Wednesday July 28, 2021. Jim was born on December 12, 1940 to James and Inez (Brown) Hester in Taylor, Texas. He graduated from McCallum High School and attended the University of Texas, both in Austin, as well as Blinn College in Brenham. Jim was married to Teddye Spann from March 21, 1966 until her death July 5, 2003.  After spending two years in Australia when the children were toddlers, the family came back to the United States and settled in Garland where Jim continued working for LTV/E-Systems/Raytheon. During the years after Todd and Tracy graduated, Jim decided ranching was calling to him, and he raised Longhorns on ranches in North Texas.

Since he was 12 years old, his entire life was shaped by HAM radio. From the time one of his uncles got him started in it at a young age till the end of his life, he was enthralled with the precise work of contacting other HAM enthusiasts all over the world. That doesn't mean he didn't get frustrated with some of the computer equipment that went along with it, but till the day he gave the call sign K5HTK for the last time, he would spend hours on air.

All his life and especially after retiring to Sun City, Jim joined a myriad of clubs. He was a "giver", having been president of nearly every one to which he belonged. He was a Master Mason and a Noble of the Shrine, and very active in fundraising for the Shriners Hospitals for Children. In his last years he was twice president of the Sun City Solos Club, a social group where the goal is to provide a venue for singles to meet other singles and socialize. Jim met Nancy Tinsley in August of 2014 and they became engaged in November 2019. Being such a kind and generous man who had more friends than most people, he considered himself to be truly blessed. He and Nancy were world travelers who never met a stranger and enjoyed life to the fullest.

Jim is survived by his fiancée, Nancy Tinsley of Georgetown; son, Todd (Diana) Hester of Georgetown; daughter, Tracy Hester of Dickinson; sister, Elissa (Ellis) Linsey of Conroe; granddaughters, Paloma Brown of Houston, Araceli Kett of Houston, Madysen Morrow of Killeen; grandsons, Stephen Hester of Austin and Nathan Morrow of Killeen; and seven great-grandchildren; as well as a myriad of precious friends.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, James and Inez Hester, and his spouse Teddye (Spann) Hester.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 6th, 2021 in the Chapel of Ramsey Funeral Home. The family invites you to join them for the Reception immediately following the service in the Reception Hall. A private inurnment will be held at Capital Parks Cemetery, in Pflugerville, Texas. The family asks that memorials be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children.

You may share a message or memory in the online memorial guestbook at www.RamseyFuneral.com .