Frank L. Hester

Frank L. Hester of Las Vegas departed this life to the embrace of God at 6:16 a.m. on Thursday, October 23, 2025, surrounded by family. He was born on Friday, April 27, 1945, to JoAnne and Ira Joe Hester in humble beginnings on the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation in Oklahoma, the eldest of thirteen siblings. His first baby bed was a dresser drawer. At the age of five, the family moved to the small town of Clinton, Oklahoma, where Frank grew up fishing, hunting, excelling in football, basketball, and track. A natural athlete and fierce competitor, he became a hometown legend whose records in high school and college remain unbroken. He graduated a year before the construction of what is now known as the Tornado Dome. Stories of his All-State and All-Conference performances are still told today. He was inducted into the Clinton High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2024. Frank attended Colorado State University Pueblo (then known as the Indians) on an athletic scholarship, lettering all four years and earning his varsity sweater and a bachelor’s degree in education. Later, he would receive a master’s degree in science. His talent drew interest from several NFL teams, including the Oakland Raiders. During college, he met his best friend, Patricia J. Vanduvall, affectionately known as Patti Jo. They married on June 17, 1966, following her high school graduation. Their first child, Carri DeNein, was born on May 29, 1968. Drafted during the Vietnam War, Frank enlisted in the U.S. Army on June 18, 1968, taking his young family to Germany, which ended his future professional football career. After returning to the United States in 1970, Frank and Patti welcomed two more children, Adrienne Nichelle on July 8, 1970, and Frank Lee Jr. on May 25, 1973. A proud U.S. Army veteran, Frank held his service close to his heart. In 1971, the family settled in Henderson, Nevada, where Frank began his career in education. With his keen sense of humor and easy charm, he was the kind of teacher and coach people naturally gravitated toward. He taught at the Southern Nevada Vocational Technical Center and served as Head Track Coach at Basic High School, while also working at Safeway. In 1972, he moved into full-time teaching and coaching at Basic, shaping the lives of countless student-athletes. Frank later served as Dean at Kenny C. Guinn Middle School and Basic High School, always leading with respect, positivity, and a gift for making others feel at ease. He eventually returned to his first love, teaching, where he found the greatest joy connecting with students every day. Frank also became an avid golfer after being asked to “inspect” Black Mountain Golf Course weekly to ensure it was ready for the school’s golf team. He took that responsibility with a smile, enjoying the game for over 40 years and winning just as many friends on the fairway as in the classroom. Frank was preceded in death by Patti and his daughter, Carri. He is survived by his children, Adrienne Nichelle and Frank Lee Hester Jr.; five grandchildren—Mario, Alex, and Jaslynne Jones, Sierra, and Dorian Hester; six great-grandchildren, Brielle, Orion, Amaré, LaVea, Landon, and Nevaeh; siblings, Robert Hester, Lynda McCarty, Johnny Hester, Donnie Coward, Bobbie Ray Coward, Janell Lister, and Tyrone Lister, and a host of relatives and friends who will forever treasure his memory. There will be a Celebration of Life on Wednesday, November 5th, 2025, at 02:00 PM (PST) Veteran's Memorial Cemetery 1900 Memorial Dr. Boulder City, NV 89005

Frank L. Hester

April 27, 1945 - October 23, 2025