Harry Frank Koester, Jr.
8/24/1950 - 4/19/2016
Our good and faithful servant, Harry Frank Koester, Jr., was born August 24, 1950, to Harry F. Koester Sr. and Helen Marie Woodruff Koester in Velasco, Texas. He was called to his eternal home April 19, 2016.
Visitation is Sunday, April 24, 2016, 5 to 7 p.m., at Lakewood Funeral Chapel, 98 N Dixie Drive, Lake Jackson, TX. A celebration of Harry's life is Monday, April 25, 2016, 10:00 a.m., at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 100 Oak Drive South, Lake Jackson, TX. Refreshments served in the Family Life Center following service, and internment will take place approximately 1 p.m. at Restwood Cemetery.
Pallbearers are nephews, Mike, Greg and Dennis McArthur; brother-in-law, Paul McCorkle; great-nephew Daylan Holly; and cousin, John Golding. Honorary pallbearers are members of the Goldwing Road Riders Association.
Harry leaves behind his beloved wife of 43 years, Dianne McCorkle Koester; sisters, Mildred McArthur and Betty Maltby; and an extended family to whom he was deeply devoted. Preceding him death were his son, Harry R. Koester; and his brothers-in-law, Cecil McArthur and J. W. Maltby.
In his early years, Harry followed in his father's footsteps as a skilled cowboy. Harry, Sr. leased pastures from Dow Chemical, and Harry, Jr. helped his dad raise cows and a few horses. He was president of Brazosport High School FFA, and he and his dad, and in later years, Harry's son, "Little Harry", all participated in the annual Brazoria County Fair trail ride.
Harry was an entrepreneur early on. He had a lawn mowing service, and his sisters recall Harry bagging cow manure to sell as fertilizer. Harry's dad gave him a few cows to raise and sell, and by the time Harry left high school, he had enough money to purchase his first car, a Ford Fairlane. His sisters treasured his devotion to them, and to their families. He is remembered as a straightforward but kind and very articulate advocate who made a genuine effort to establish a relationship with each of his nieces, nephews and their families, and to be involved in all of their significant events. Each Thanksgiving, Harry and Dianne opened their home to both of their families, with more than 20 gathered around the Koesters' table.
After graduation from Brazosport High, Harry enrolled in the first class at Brazosport (known then as Junior) College, and was honored as BC's first distinguished alumni. He earned a degree in business from the University of Houston, attaining his Certified Public Account credentials. After graduation, Harry settled in Lake Jackson, started his practice, and served for many years on the boards of Brazosport College and Brazosport Regional Health System. As a 30 year member of Brazosport Rotary, Harry was both a sustaining member and Paul Harris Fellow.
In later life, Harry's passion became riding his motorcycle throughout the U.S. with Dianne and members of the Goldwing Road Riders Association. He enjoyed meeting friends for breakfast at Whataburger where he jokingly had a reserved seat. His friends and family will miss Harry's dry wit, notorious frugality that masked a philanthropic heart of gold, and his love of the silly song, "Ding Dong Daddy from Dumas".
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Brazosport College Foundation, FBO Distinguished Alumni Scholarship Fund, 500 College Drive, Lake Jackson, TX 77566
Online condolences: lakewoodfuneralchapel.com or thefacts.com
Arrangements by Freeport-Lakewood Funeral Homes, the Turner Family.
Obituary Provided By:
www.lakewoodfuneralchapel.com
info@lakewoodfuneralchapel.com
979-297-6464
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