Larry Dennis Hester, 81, of Dallas, TX passed away with his family by his side on April 5, 2024. Larry had a profound impact on the lives of many through his kindness, generosity, storytelling (most of which were true), and sense of humor. He was born on September 29, 1942, to Edd "Dink" and Ollie Hester in rural Estill County, KY, the youngest of six boys. Larry arrived late in his parents' lives, and while Dink never referred to him as an accident, on occasion he did refer to him as an "incident." As the baby of the family, he was given the nickname "Darlin'", which he proudly shared with his healthcare providers up to his final days in the hospital. In 1955 at the age of twelve, along with his parents, he moved to Lexington, KY. There he attended Lafayette High School where he excelled in sports and not so much in academics. It was there, thanks to alphabetical seating in home room, he met Judy Hedrick. This meeting altered the course of his life as they became high school sweethearts and later married and went on to have two children. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds baseball team and briefly pursued his dream of the big leagues, which was hampered by one scout's evaluation that "he spent too much time running in the same place." In 1962 he made the controversial decision to leave a steady job at Winn Dixie grocery store and take a pay cut to join the growing typewriter manufacturer IBM. That was the beginning of 25+ years at IBM starting in the stock room and working his way into the executive ranks. As his career progressed, he earned a bachelors degree from Xavier University (Cincinnati, OH) and a master's degree from St. Edward's University (Austin, TX). Larry served as a deacon for Hyde Park Baptist Church (Austin, TX), Berea Baptist Church (Berea, KY), First Baptist Church (Bonham, TX). In 1977 Larry and his children lost their wife and mother, Judy Hester after her battle with cancer. After Judy's death, Larry met an exceptionally bright, systems analyst from Seattle, WA on temporary assignment in Austin, TX, Katherine "Katy" Hummel. He and "Katems," a nickname based on a typo on an airline ticket, married on June 18, 1978, and remained together for 37 years until she passed away in 2016, also after a battle with cancer. Larry was also predeceased by his parents Edd and Ollie Hester and bonus mother Eva Winburn, brothers Russell, Joe, Ralph, O'Neal "Neal," and Robert "Bob" Hester. He is survived by his son, Ralph Hester and wife Sylvia of Wylie, TX, daughter, Charlotte Kahn and husband Josh of Dallas, TX, and brother-in-law Greg Hummel and wife Donna of Eufaula, OK. He was Grandpa to Eliott, Jonah, Kendall & Dylan Kahn and Taylor, Karis and Grey Hester, and Great Grandpa to Kamdyn, Kannon & Ari McCullum. Larry is also survived by several nephews and nieces (one of which was his favorite). And bonus grand-kids Garrett McFarland and wife Kayla, Kaitlin Martinez and husband Trey and great grand-kids Mallory, MaKenna & Madelyn McFarland, Landon Guffey & Logan Martinez. A memorial service and celebration of a life well lived will be held at the Park City Club in Dallas, TX on Saturday, April 20 at 11:00 am CT followed by lunch. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Meals on Wheels of Texoma (mowot.org).