Mr. James Alfred "Jim" Hester, Jr., age 63, of Thomaston, died Thursday, January 21, 2021, at Upson Regional Medical Center. Funeral services for Mr. Hester will be held outdoors at the Pavilion of The Gathering Church on Sunday, January 24, 2021 at 4:00 PM. Rev. Joey Smith will officiate and burial will follow in South View Cemetery. The family of Mr. Hester will receive friends at The Gathering Church Pavilion on Sunday from 3:00 PM until the funeral hour. Mr. Hester was a life-long resident of Thomaston. He was born on May 30, 1957, son of Dr. James Alfred and Marie Hilley Hester, Sr. He was a 1975 graduate of R. E. Lee Institute. Mr. Hester was employed by Yamaha Manufacturing Company for 19 years. He was later the owner/operator of the Little Garden Center, and also managed the Garden Patch Restaurant. More recently he was employed as a school bus driver by the Thomaston-Upson County Board of Education. He was a Mason and a Shriner. Mr. Hester was a member of the East Thomaston Baptist Church and served as a Deacon. He was a drummer and enjoyed music. He was ultimately a proud and loving grandfather to five grandchildren. Mr. Hester is survived by his wife, Debra McCrary Hester; two daughters, Ashley Hester (Dusty) Turner and Lynsey (Darrin Norris) Hester; a sister, Sarah Hester (Scott) Ross of Colorado Springs, CO; and five grandchildren, Jake Helms, Zayn Norris, Zoey Norris, Sam Turner and Lilly Turner. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Wayne Hester. Fletcher-Day Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Condolences and remembrances may be expressed at www.fletcherdayfuneralhome.com