William David, “Jack”, Vestal, Jr., 101
Our daddy said a final goodbye but he smiled because he said he was going to see mama...she was waiting.... “When I am a man, I intend to be an aviator. I will graduate from high school then go to an aviation school. The main thing I want to be is a mail carrier who flies from New York to San Francisco. I would fly over the United States and go to Philadelphia where Benjamin Franklin was born and became a printer.” “I would fly to Paris and Great Britain to visit foreign lands about which I read.” “I would work hard and get a large plane and join all frolics and fun” William David (Jack) Vestal, Grade 6, age 10, (a piece written by Vestal for the Fowlkes Public School newsletter ‘The Broadcaster’ in December 1928) Daddy always had his dreams of flying and he did earn his wings and become a pilot. He loved flying his small plane until he had a family and mom thought he should get rid of it. Although he never carried the mail, he traveled not only to New York and San Francisco but to South Africa many times. And from the dreams of a ten year old boy, he and mom also went to Paris and Great Britain then visited the Middle East, Egypt, walked through the Great Pyramid, and they also toured Masada, his favorite place. Their most special vacations were with their children and grandchildren in Alaska and Hawaii. Daddy’s last trip was to Alaska at the age of 96. He had to see the Alaska Pipeline! Jack married Bessie Inez Chesher, daughter of Lemuel Luther Chesher and Amma Mae Langfitt Chesher of Electra, Texas, on July 20, 1938, in Electra. To this union was born Virginia Ann Vestal Brandt, Lemuel David Vestal, and Karen Sue Vestal Bradberry. Jack and Bessie were faithful members of the Church of Christ where he was a deacon and then an elder for many, many years. Jack taught the Bible to several generations of families and loved the Lord with all his heart. On one of his trips, he taught Bible lessons to the tour group on Mars Hill, walked where Jesus walked, prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, and followed in Paul’s footsteps in Jerusalem and Rome. The Vestal’s had nine grandchildren: Vanessa Brandt McGarry, Marvin Joseph (Bodie) Brandt, Jr., Alicia Beth Vestal Purdy, William Edgar Vestal, Amy Leora Bradberry, Timmy Neal Bradberry, Charles Gregory Bradberry, Penny Karenina Bradberry Waldrep, and Cherrie Bettina Suzanne Bradberry. Thirteen great grandchildren: Cole McGarry, Shawna McGarry, Savannah Adams, Sierra Brandt, Bethany Keener, Amber Coleman, Cody Purdy, Ava Bradberry, Morgan George, Meghan Bradberry, Mason Bradberry, Jack Waldrep, and Saydie Bradberry. Four great great grandchildren: John Ryan Adams, Jordan Adams, Colt Keener, and Owen Keener Jack is survived by his brother James Vestal of Iowa Park and sister Bobbie Bonner of Runge, Texas. Along with his wife, Bessie, he was predeceased by his parents, two young sisters Dorothy Pauline and Vera Beatrice, sister Peggy Louella Griffith of Electra, two grandchildren, Amy Leora Bradberry and Marvin Joseph (Bodie) Brandt, Jr., and one great grandchild, Sierra Elizabeth Brandt. Bye, Daddy, fly high. Oh what a glorious day it has been....Love you to the moon and back. Visitation will be held from 6-8 PM on Monday, August 5, 2019 in the chapel at Dutton Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 10 AM Tuesday, August 6, 2019 at the funeral home with private graveside services to follow at Highland Cemetery.
William David “Jack” Vestal, Jr.
Sunset, Saturday, August 3, 2019.
“And it came to pass.”
