Christopher Alan Hester, age 49, of Wilmington went to be with his Heavenly Father on Monday, December 12 at Lower Cape Fear Hospice after a courageous fight with Multiple Myeloma.

Born in Norfolk, Va. on February 4, 1962, he was the son of Grady Hester and the late Helen Morales.

Chris was employed with the Progress Energy Nuclear Power Plant in Brunswick for over 30 years as a licensed reactor operator, training instructor, shift operations manager, and various other positions throughout the years of his employment. He was a member of Scotts Hill Baptist Church and the Faith Builders small group where he was constantly known to speak out and share his journey with the class members. Chris loved being out on the water with his family and friends, was an avid snow skier, and loved windsurfing, but most of all, Chris loved his family, friends, and his eternal Heavenly Father.

Chris was a devoted husband and father. Surviving to cherish his memory is his wife of 17 years, Sandra Pate Hester; 3 beautiful children, Lauren Hester, age 14, Logan Hester, age 12, and Lawson Hester, age 11, all of the home and sister, Laura Gail Willis and husband, Glen of St. Pauls. Chris had 4 nephews that held a special place in his heart, Levi, Travis, and Tyler Willis of St. Pauls and Jody Hutcheson of Rocky Point.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm Wednesday, December 14 at Quinn McGowen Funeral Home, Bradley Creek Chapel, 315 Willow Woods Drive, Wilmington.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 15, 2011 at 2:00 pm at Scotts Hill Baptist Church with Pastor Phil Ortego officiating. Burial will follow at Sea Lawn Memorial Park, Hampstead.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to a college educational fund established at Wells Fargo Bank, 8211 Market Street, Unit JJ, Wilmington, NC 28411 under the account name of Sandra Hester or to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF), 383 Main Avenue, 5th Floor, Norwalk, CT 06851.

Chris's family would like to thank Dr. John Anagnost for his diligent care over the past 4 years and his amazing staff. The family would also like to express sincere gratitude to the physicians of South Eastern Nephrology Associates as well as the nurses on the 10th floor at New Hanover Regional Medical Center.

The Hester family has been lovingly touched by all the generous support through carpools, sleepovers, dinners, groceries, donations, and prayers that friends, family, church members, and the entire community have showered them with. Chris was an amazing, caring, fun-loving, and generous person that will be deeply missed.


You may share memories and condolences with the family by clicking on our "Memory Wall" above.

Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Bradley Creek, Wilmington.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Wednesday, December 14 at Quinn McGowen Funeral Home, Bradley Creek Chapel, 315 Willow Woods Drive, Wilmington.

Funeral services will be Thursday, December 15, 2011 at 2:00 pm at Scotts Hill Baptist Church.
Burial will follow at Sea Lawn Memorial Park, Hampstead.