SONNY KESLER Luther Franklin "Sonny" Kesler, Jr. passed away on Saturday, February 28, 2015, at The Lodge at Natchez Trace in Nashville, TN at the age of 84. He was a retired cattle rancher and row-crop farmer of 44 years. He was born on February 5, 1931 in Blytheville, AR to the late Luther "Frank" and Agnes Gaines Kesler. After graduating from Kewanee High School in 1949 and before becoming a farmer, he served in the U.S. Air Force as an Aircraft Maintenance Crew Chief stationed at Luke AFB in Texas and completed three tours of duty in Germany, Japan, and France. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Janice "JC" Morrow Kesler of Nashville, TN; four children, Steve Kesler (Becky) of Brooksville, Suzi Sanders (Charlie) of Starkville, Jane Kinard (Danny) also of Starkville and Melody Quinn (Kevin) of Nashville; sister, Doris Wylie; two brothers, Donnie Kesler and Gary Kesler; 10 grandchildren, Stephen Andrew Miller, Dee Newell, Andrea Miller, Jodi Williams (Ronnie), Mark Kesler, Jamie Kinard, Megan Kesler, Kesler, Kelly and Kendall Quinn, 14 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his youngest son, Charles Michael Kesler (father to Megan Kesler);two sisters, Inez Uhls Fehler and Mary Leona Bohannon; a brother, Leon Kesler. An avid farmer, Sonny was recognized for his many contributions to this field. Some awards included: Co-Operator of the Year by Lowndes County Conservation District - 1987; The National Endorsement for Soil and Water Conservation commended Sonny Kesler for outstanding achievements in conserving soil and water resources representing Mississippi - 1988; Outstanding Area District IV Commissioner of Mississippi Association of Conservation Districts - 1988; Soil, Air, and Water Conservationist of the Year presented by the Mississippi Wildlife Federation, the National Wildlife Federation, Sears and Roebuck Co. - 1989; Chairman Lowndes County Soil and Water District- 1994; Big Bull Contest Lowndes County Cattlemen Association- 1998; Commercial Cattlemen of the Year presented by Mississippi Cattlemen Association - 1999; Plaque in Appreciation for 19 Years of Outstanding Service from Lowndes County Soil and Water District - 1981-2000. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3rd, at Brooksville Baptist Church in Brooksville, MS with the Rev. Jay Spiller presiding. Burial followed at Brooksville Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 12:30 til service time at the church. Memorial Funeral Home of Columbus, MS was entrusted with arrangements. Serving as pallbearers Stevie Miller, Mark Kesler, Kevin Quinn, Danny Ray Kinard, Jay Bolin, Wally Cade, David Lummus, Luke Lummus and Bob Lummus. Honorary pallbearers Gary Kesler, Donnie Kesler, Chuck Morrow, John McClendon, Charlie Sanders, Winston Ferguson, Grant Gardiner, Howard Fisackerly, Printz Bolin, Jack Weseli, Dick Canull, Oliver Phillips, David Butler and Wallace Cade. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association at 196 Charmont Place, Suite 4, Ridgeland, MS 39157, Brooksville Baptist Church, PO Box 52, Brooksville, MS 39759 or the charity of your choice.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Sonny Kesler, please visit our flower store.
