Rondall "Ron" P. Kestner, age 76 of Kingsport went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, June 27, 2012 at his residence. He was a lifelong resident of Kingsport and the son of the late Paul and Mildred Kestner. Ron attended St. Matthew United Methodist Church. He retired from Eastman Kodak in 1992 after 30 years of service in the engineering department. He was a 1955 graduate of Sullivan High School. Ron served in the United States Navy and attended East Tennessee State University. He loved going to football games with his friends Howard Hudson, Fred Steadman and Robert White. Ron played in the bands, The Echoes & Special Edition for approximately 30 years.
Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Shelley Kestner; son, Craig Alan Kestner and wife Deana; daughter, Kristy Kestner Taylor and husband Donnie; grandson, Lee Taylor and wife Amber; a great grandson, Brayden Taylor; sister, Judy Roller and husband Larry; niece, Lora Green and husband Randy; nephew, Scott Roller; uncles, Robert White and Smith Kestner; special friends Larry and Sheila Fleming and family along with several cousins.
The family will receive friends on Friday, June 29, 2012 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in the chapel of East Lawn Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life Service will follow at 7:00 p.m. with Rev. Jack Hester and Rev. Phil Kestner officiating. Special music will be provided by his cousins: Bettie Upton, Shirley Hester, Nancy Gilbert and Pat Wall. Graveside services will be conducted on Saturday, June 30, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. in East Lawn Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Howard Hudson, Fred Steadman, Larry Fleming, Carl Childress, Jack Hicks and Tom Zollman. Honorary pallbearers are Don Adkins, Erskine Edmunds and his fellow musicians.