Thomas "Tom" Lester Kesler

TOM KESLER

Thomas Lester Kesler, age 63, of Columbus, MS, passed away March 31, 2019, after a battle with cancer. Funeral services will be Saturday, April 6, 2019, at 11:00 AM at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd with Rev. Sandra DePriest officiating. Visitation will be held Friday, April 5, 2019, from 5:00 - 8:00 PM at Memorial Gunter Peel College St. location. Tom was born August 14, 1955, in Oxford, MS, to the late Silas Lester and Lynda Campbell Kesler. He was a graduate of Oxford High School, earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Mississippi, and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1980. He spent nearly 36 years in public service and private practice before his retirement from the Hinds County District Attorney’s Office in 2015. Upon retirement, Tom returned to Columbus and enjoyed being near his daughter, a Mississippi State University student at the time. He was a faithful member of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, enjoyed being active at the YMCA, and catching up with many “law buddies” in his final years. He was an avid supporter of the University of Mississippi, Palmer Home for Children, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Lori Camp Kesler, and his brother, Alan Campbell Kesler. Survivors include his daughter, Olivia Leigh Kesler of Columbia, SC, nieces, Cyndi Kesler Goodgame (Steve) of Batesville, MS, Ellen Kesler Norrod (Jeff) of Grand Prairie, TX, father-in-law, Joel E. Camp of Sulligent, AL, mother-in-law Patsy M. Sams of Columbus, MS, sisters-in-law, Lisa Camp Tedford (David) of Columbus, MS, Leah Sams Lumm (George) of Germantown, TN, Ginger Vaughn Kesler of Abbeville, MS, Anna Ruth Kesler of Oxford, MS, and a host of extended family and cousins. Honorary pallbearers will be the Lowndes County Bar Association, Hinds County District Attorney’s Office, and Mission Committee of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. Memorials may be made to the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd for the creation of a Columbarium in Tom’s memory at Friendship Cemetery. The family would like to extend gratitude to Jackson physicians Dr. Wilkerson, Dr. Brannan, Dr. Maples, and Dr. Blaylock for their exceptional care over the last year and a half.