Troy "Sonnie" Charles Nester

Troy "Sonnie" Charles Nester, 83, of Eufaula, passed away on December 17, 2020 at the Jack C. Montgomery VA Center in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Sonnie was born on May 17, 1937 in Hanna, Oklahoma to Sam and Clessie Lou (Cox) Nester. He attended 42 School and Eufaula Public Schools through the tenth grade. Sonnie served in the United States Army, enlisting at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas in October 1957. He served three years, spending part of his tour of duty in Germany. He was honorably discharged in October of 1960. On May 17, 1961, Sonnie received the best birthday gift, as he married his soulmate and love of his life, Edith Louise Free in Eufaula, Oklahoma. In their fifty years of marriage, they became the loving parents to four children, wonderful grandparents to nine grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. Edith went to her heavenly home on August 31, 2011. Sonnie worked as a cross country truck driver in his early years, during the time he lived in Oklahoma City and California. When he settled his family back home in McIntosh County, he worked many years for ranches in the area, including Agro Farms, Fisher Ranch, Jim Price Ranch, and Armstrong Ranch. He was a true cowboy. He also worked in the construction industry, working 28 years for P & K Coal Company in Henryetta, Harshorne, and Poteau. After he retired, he worked for McIntosh County District #3. Sonnie served on the Hanna School Board for 3 years as Vice President and President. He was also a member of the McIntosh County Search and Rescue Riders. But Sonnie's most important and dedicated roles in his life were being a loving and caring son, brother, husband, dad, grandpa, great-grandpa, uncle and friend to many. Survivors include: his children: Donnie and Jeanna Nester, of Hanna; Tracy and Suzanne Nester, of Spiro; Paula and Bruce Freeman, of Eufaula; Travis and Sheila Nester, of Owasso; his grandchildren, Jennifer Nester and Daniel Burns, of Hanna; Melissa and Jesse Purdom of Brooken; Samantha Nester and Wesley Morgan, of Checotah; Samuel Nester, of Spiro; Denver Freeman, of Eufaula; William and Ciera Freeman, of Eufaula; Nick Nester, Jackson Nester, and Olivia Nester, all of Owasso; and ten great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, Sam Nester and Clessie Burns; wife, Edith Nester, brothers, JB Hamilton, Wendell Hamilton, Winford Hamilton, and an infant brother, Sammy Nester.