Harry F. Hester, DC, the founder, CEO and president of Dee Cee Laboratories Inc., passed away on Oct. 17, 2019, at the age of 91.
Dr. Hester was born in Franklin, Ky., on Sept. 9, 1928. He joined the U.S. Navy at the age of 17, then attended Lincoln Chiropractic College in Indianapolis, Ind., on the G.I. Bill after completing his military service. The Lincoln curriculum included courses in nutrition, where he developed a keen interest in nutritional supplements.
After nine years in practice as a doctor of chiropractic in Russellville, Ky., he realized how improving a patient’s health not only included good chiropractic care, but also needed to include good nutrition. Dr. Hester sold his practice in 1962 and founded Dee Cee Laboratories Inc., in Madison, Tenn. Later he expanded it with the addition of a manufacturing facility in White House, Tenn., where the company resides today as a family-owned and operated business.
Dr. Hester retired in 2014, spending time with family and traveling between his various homes in Hendersonville, Tenn., Orange Beach, Ala., and Rugby, Tenn. A highly-motivated and caring professional, Dr. Hester positively influenced the people he came in contact with over his long career, offering generous friendship, leadership and encouragement. He was a loved, respected and devoted family man who enjoyed life to the fullest. His loving wife, JoNell Hester, worked alongside him at Dee Cee Laboratories, Inc., for 28 years and they enjoyed 41 years together.
Dr. Hester was a loving son, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend. He is survived by his wife, a brother, six children, seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. The family requests that any gifts or donations please be made to Historic Rugby Inc. These donations can be sent to P.O. Box 8, Rugby, TN 37733.
Condolences can be shared at hendersonvillefh.com.
