Jack Kenneth Ivester, 92, of Winnsboro, SC and later Greenwood, SC passed away on Thursday, August 1, 2024.
He was born in Greenwood, SC to Leonard Lee Ivester and Eva Drummond Ivester. Jack grew up in Ninety Six, graduated Ninety Six High School in 1949 and joined the Air Force. He was stationed at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska and then at Camp Cooke in Lompoc, CA. After his discharge, Jack earned his Bachelor of Science from USC in 1960 and was a true Gamecock fan! He was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church in Winnsboro and faithfully opened the doors of the church on Sundays for seventeen years. He was also a member of the Lions Club and American Legion. Jack was a Lab/Med Tech at Fairfield Memorial Hospital in Winnsboro.
He is preceded in death by nine brothers and sisters; he was the baby and his siblings claimed he was the most spoiled!
Jack enjoyed camping and hiking in his younger years and always loved music. He played the piano and organ and loved to sing. Jack never married nor had children but was always a favorite with his nieces and nephews. He was a rascal and frequently managed to get himself and the kids in trouble with their parents. Jack was blessed to be an honorary father/grandfather to Tony Caulder’s family in Winnsboro. Always included in their daily lives, they made his later years happy. Jack would say all the way to the end that Tony was his best friend.
When Jack moved to Greenwood, he was cared for by his niece, Holly Moss and his nephew, John Ivester. In his years at Emerald Gardens, he entertained the residents with his beautiful voice. Emerald Gardens was his final home and was a truly happy family for him. There was never a dull moment there, staff kept Jack and his friends active and on the go. We are very grateful for the love and care Jack was given by: Mackenzie Mccarson, Cindy Wall, Debbie Price, Rhonda and Albany, his special friend, Betty Jones, Bailey Campbell of 180 Health and Wellness, and the rest of the crew.
Lastly, we are grateful for the excellent care we received at Self Regional and especially the love and care shown to our family at the Hospice House of the Piedmont. Those folks are kind and respectful beyond words.
Jack is survived by his nieces Holly Moss (Lewis), Sherry Turner, Susan Hedelson (Glen); nephew, John Ivester, the Caulder family, and many other nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be held at 11am on Saturday, August 10, 2024, at Greenwood Memorial Gardens with Mr. Dan Grubbs officiating.
Memorials may be made to Hospice House, 408 West Alexander Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646 or to First United Methodist Church of Winnsboro, 109 West College Street, Winnsboro, SC 29180-1005.
Harley Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.
