Kenneth P. Kuester

Mr. Kenneth P. "Ken" Kuester, 62, of Fernandina Beach, FL passed away on Monday, March 4, 2013 in Jacksonville, FL. Born in Jefferson City, MO, he was one of two children born to the late Paul Herman and Helen Ann (Raithel) Kuester. Ken was a 1968 graduate of California High School, earned his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology in May 1972 and his Master of Business Administration in May 1974 from Central Missouri State University. Ken had lived in Greenville, SC for a number of years before being transferred to Jacksonville in 1980. After working for many years in the Building Supply Industry, in 1995 he purchased Fernandina Lumber Company and moved to Fernandina Beach. He was also the President and Owner of Lumber Unlimited and Truss Unlimited in Jacksonville. Throughout the years, Ken had served on and held various leadership positions on related professional boards to include Director of Builders Care. He was an avid Florida State Seminole fan, enjoyed NASCAR, fishing, yard work and the Jacksonville Jaguars. Any locally owned business had Ken's support. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Terri, who passed away in 2012. Ken leaves behind his son, Lance Kuester (LaToya Kuester, M.D.), Jacksonville, FL; a stepdaughter, Jami Wooten, Fernandina Beach, FL; his sister, Ruth Irene Riney, St. Louis, MO; grandchildren, Xorin, Aria, and Xavier Kuester, Jennifer and Justin Wooten; a great-grandson, Briaden Wooten; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held on Friday, March 8, 2013 at the First Baptist Church of Fernandina Beach, with Rev. Jeff Overton officiating. Ken will be laid to rest beside his parents in St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery, California, MO. Memorials are suggested to Builders Care, 103 Century 21 Drive, Suite #108, Jacksonville, FL 32216-9256. Local arrangements are under the direction of Bowlin-Cantriel Funeral Services, California, MO.