John Koester

John Alfred Koester entered this world on January 2, 1946, born the fifth son of Henry J. and Helen Koester, in Sidney, NB. He departed this world on September 14,2009 at his home in Casper. He grew up on the family farm between Pete's, CO. and Sidney, NB, graduated from High School in Pete's and was very active in Jr. High and High School sports, particularly excelling in football and basketball. After his first year of college in Sterling, CO, he joined the Army and served a tour in Viet Nam, as the radio man with the 1 st Air Cavalry Division. He was very proud to have spent from 1967 to 1969 serving his country and being awarded the Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, the National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Air Medal and Expert Rifle, and was honored by having his picture placed on the Viet Nam Memorial Wall in the Lyndon B. Johnson Museum in Texas.
Upon returning home, he went to work as a mechanic for Montgomery Wards, was promoted to management in Silver City, NM, and then transferred to Casper, where he was shop manager of Ward's Auto Repair Dept. until it closed. He and one of his employees, Ron Yoder, then used Ward's vacated repair shop to start Sky Top Automotive. He eventually sold his interest in Sky Top to work for Expert Tire and retired from Car Care in Sept., 2008.
John loved working with his hands and fixing things. He was always busy and usually looking for a project to bring new life in to something old, worn out, or broken. He was an avid sports fiend, frequently watching ball games with two TV s going at once. He also loved the outdoors, working in his yard, growing a garden, and working on his cars. He never met a stranger, could sell just about anything, was your friend for life, and had a. big and loving heart.
John was preceded in death by his father Henry and Sisters Dorothy Treinen and Mary Ann Cooper. He is survived by his mother Helen of Sidney, NB, very special friend and companion Kay Nuzum of Casper, WY, son John Slater of Sterling, CO and daughter Dawn Koester of Cave Creek, AZ; brothers Bob Koester of Ogalala, NB, Don Koester of Ovid, CO, Jerry Koester of Min, NB, Chuck Koester of Greeley, CO, and Ed Koester of Sidney, CO, sister Geraldine Button of Denton, TX, 2 grandchildren in Sterling, CO, many nieces and nephews and their families, and his little beagle Tandy.
Cremation has taken place with Newcomers Family Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. The funeral will be held on Tuesday, September 22nd at 10 a.m. with military honors and a Celebration of John's Life will start at 5 PM at the Byron Stock Trail VFW. Memorial contributions may be made to the donor's choice.