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Gerald (Jerry). Jerry Kestell, long-time Los Alamos resident, passed away Saturday, May 21, 2005 with his family around him. He was 75. Jerry was born April 16, 1930, in Spokane, WA, to Peter and Bonna Kestell. He graduated from Thompson Falls High School, Thompson Falls, MT, in 1947, and served four years in the U.S. Navy aboard the destroyer USS Wiltsie during the Korean Conflict (1949-1952). After leaving the Navy he earned his B.S. in electrical engineering from Montana State University in 1959. Jerry worked as an electrical engineer for Martin Marietta in Colorado and General Electric and Douglas United Nuclear in Washington State before moving to New Mexico in 1969. He worked for Los Alamos National Laboratory from 1969 until his retirement in 1990. Music and acting were a great part of his life. He sang bass with the Lads of Enchantment Barbershop Chorus and Los Alamos Light Opera, and acted regularly in Los Alamos Little Theatre for more than 30 years. Jerry also enjoyed fishing and camping with his family. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, and his wife of 18 years, Ethel (Jiggs) Kestell. He is survived by a brother, Richard Kestell, Longview, WA; five children, Peg Hume of Los Alamos, Vikki Kestell of Albuquerque, Ken Kestell of Albuquerque, Pat Kestell of Los Alamos, and Laura Lea Haag of Bernalillo; two step-sons, Michael Ronning of Cathedral City, CA, and Marvin Ronning, Providence, RI; daughters-in-law Susan P. Kestell and Susan G. Kestell; son-in-law Conrad Smith; 13 grandchildren, Maaike Hurst Garcia, Charis Hurst, Timothy Hurst, Jennifer Uher, Christina Uher, Stephen Kestell, Nicholas Kestell, Daniel Kestell, Desiree Haag, Philip Kestell, Michael Kestell, Joseph Haag, Thomas Haag; and one great-grandchild, Benjamin Garcia. Jerry also leaves behind many dear friends. His family will hold a Memorial Service for him on Friday, May 27, 2005, 1 p.m., at Calvary Chapel of Los Alamos, 580 North Mesa Road, Los Alamos, NM, 87544. Jerry's family would appreciate, in lieu of flowers, a small donation made out to the Visiting Nurses of Los Alamos. They are very grateful for the wonderful hospice care given their Dad during his passing and to his wife, Jiggs, when she was ill, and wish to support their important work.
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