Isaac J. Hester

Isaac Jerome Hester, 24, returned to his Creator on June 10, 2024.  He was at home in West Chester, OH, at the time of his sudden passing.

Isaac was born on September 30, 1999 in Cincinnati, OH, to Fe A. Dumlao Hester and Mark A. Hester Sr. He grew up as the youngest of five children in Ohio, The Philippines, Texas, and Virginia.  He attended middle school abroad at Faith Academy in the Philippines and went on to graduate with honors in 2018 from Matoaca High School in Chesterfield, VA.  In 2023, he graduated from Cincinnati State Technical & Community College with an Associates of Applied Science.  Isaac intended to further his education in his pursuit of a graduate degree and career in Neuroscience or Psychiatry.

Isaac will be remembered as a student of life with many interests.  Not only was he formally educated, but he also had an insatiable curiosity and was self-studied in the areas of Philosophy, Physics, Literature & Poetry, History, Astronomy, Politics, the Arts, Social Sciences, World Religions and the Bible.  He was a true seeker of universal and spiritual truths.

His talents were also many and over the years he became a skilled musician and performer.  From voice acting and impersonations to perfecting his musical skills, Isaac thrived on entertaining. He began playing instruments as a young child when he first picked up the Shofar, and later developed his skills with the harmonica, clarinet, drums, guitar, and piano.  Isaac was also gifted with words and a voice.  He regularly wrote poetry and was a refined singer.

In addition to Isaac’s intellectual and artistic abilities, he was a lover of animals and nature.  He nurtured many pets over the years, most importantly his dog Winter.  He loved to sit outside basking in the sun, enjoying the breeze, the ocean, the trees, and the night sky as he observed all that nature has to offer.  Bird watching was a favorite pass-time of his.  More recently, he was planning and designing a flower garden that was due to be planted this week.

Above all, Isaac was kind and generous with his resources and time– a true humanitarian.  He had his eyes set on joining the Peace Corps at some point in the near future.  Not only did Isaac regularly contribute to charitable causes, he freely gave his time to care for the people he loved.  Isaac routinely watched his younger nieces and nephews, helped with homework, and played with them.  He was often a source of encouragement and comfort to his family members during difficult times and an engaging conversationalist during the good times.  Over the last year of his life, he lovingly gave his time and energy to care for his father.

Isaac is a loved, cherished, and admired son, brother, uncle, cousin, nephew, and friend. 

Isaac was preceded by his paternal grandparents, Donald & Mary Hester, his paternal uncle David Hester; his maternal grandparents, Uldarico & Asencia Dumlao, his maternal uncle Ferdinand Dumlao, and his step-grandparents, Thomas & Margaret Thiem.

Isaac is survived by his mother, Fe; father, Mark (Yvonne); siblings: Sophia (Jeremy) Woods, Michelle Hester, Olivia (Nathan) Whitaker, Mark Hester Jr (Suzie); nieces and nephews: Isabella, Caleb, & Angeli Blanton, Desiree Whitaker, Isaiah & Ethan Woods, Abigail “Abi”, Zara, & Jada Haire, Gideon Smith, and Claire “Wren” & Emma Hester.

Family and Friends are welcome to attend the Visitation on Friday, June 14, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Arlington Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 2155 Compton Road, 45231 (follow the blue line upon entering the memorial park).  The Service will be held on Saturday, June 15, 9:30 AM.  Interment in Arlington Memorial Gardens.

Flowers can be sent to AMGFH by calling Osterbrock Florist (513) 541-4304, or monetary donations to assist with services can be made via credit card by calling (513) 521-7003 ext. 2.