Vester Lee Windsor

Vester Lee Windsor, a kind, loving, and thoughtful man, better known as “Pa” departed from this earth on July 31, 2023, in Royal Oak, Michigan.  Where exactly Pa departed to is anyone’s guess, but the destination is no doubt packed with fast cars, beautiful women, flashy jewelry, and an endless supply of full flavor cigarettes. He was born on Christmas Day, December 25, 1938, in Lynnville, Kentucky. It is doubtful Pa’s life will be enshrined with plaques, statutes or formal memorials, but those of us that knew Pa will never forget him. Vester’s life was a testament to the values of love, kindness, and thoughtfulness that he held dear.

The adage “broke the mold” is a common party line used in eulogies, however such a line when referring to Pa does not do his life justice.  Pa never lived life on life’s terms.  Instead, he lived (and died) on his own terms, at all times, regardless of the benefits or consequences, regardless of the cost, regardless of who loved him, left him or died.  He was a man that kept his own council and lived by his own code.  In many ways, he was a marvel of modern science as he lived many years beyond medical expectation (probably on pure spite and defiance).

Vester’s passing is a great loss, but his life was a gift to all who knew him. His kindness, love, and thoughtfulness will forever be remembered. His memory will be a guiding light for his family and friends. His memory will be cherished by all who knew him, and his spirit will continue to inspire those who were fortunate enough to have known him.

The stories of Pa’s life were hilarious, action-packed, tragic (at times), but most of all legendary.  Those that knew him need no explanation of these stories, as we no doubt grin and silently shake our heads in reflection.  If a book were written on Pa’s life, those who did not know him would swear it was fiction. (Disclaimer- If anyone attempts to author a biography, the most prudent approach would be to change names, dates, and locations.)

Some might say he was a hard man to love.  Others might say he was a hard man to show love.  Maybe the truth is that he was simply a hard man that loved in his own way and on his own terms. Pa was true to himself through it all, which garners a certain admiration. Vester’s life was filled with love and joy, and he shared this with everyone he met. He was a man of great integrity and kindness, his memory will be cherished by all who knew him, and his spirit will continue to inspire those who were fortunate enough to have known him.

Here’s to you, Pa.  We will never forget you.  In our mind’s eye, you are somewhere sunny and warm, dressed in all black and adorned with gold necklaces and rings, behind the wheel of a shiny, convertible Corvette, beautiful woman in the passenger seat, and cigarette in hand.

He was preceded in death by his father, Ira Sylvester “Bus” Windsor; mother, Neva Laverne Taylor Windsor; four children, Steven, Vicky, Mark, and Shane; granddaughter, Marisha Nelson; as well as one brother, Jerry Windsor.

Vester Lee Windsor will be deeply missed, but his legacy will live on through his family. His life was a testament to the power of love, kindness, and thoughtfulness, and his memory will continue to inspire those who knew him. His family and friends will forever cherish the time they spent with him, and his memory will live on in their hearts. Vester is survived by his son, Chris Newton (Tasha); daughter, Kara Rasmussen; one sister, Jean Coulter; ten grandchildren, Kelly (Bo), Brittany (Jason), Holly (Leontay), Courtney, Jimmy Shane, Tommy, Liam, Taylor, Taylor, and Tanner; 14 great-grandchildren, Andi, Avery, Malachi, Anakin, Lydia, Finn, Damian, Austin, Jessie, Addilyn Fay, River Lynn, Kade, Karsen, Kam.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Sunday, August 6, 2023, at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services with Pastor Kenneth Newsome officiating. Burial will follow in the Murray City Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., Saturday, August 5, 2023, at the J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Expressions of sympathy can be made to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959 or the charity of your choice in memory of Vester’s life.

Online condolences can be made at, www.jhchurchill.com