Nester, Alva Jackson's Obituary
Alva Jackson (Jack) Nester, Jr., longtime Christian pastor, passed away peacefully early Saturday morning, June 7, 2025, at home with family by his side. He was 82.
Jack was born June 25, 1942, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Alva Jackson and Jean Margaret (Bassmann) Nester. He grew up in the nomadic lifestyle of a military family. Loving relatives, Scouting, and athletics were sources of stability and escape. He worked one summer as a ranger at Philmont Scout Ranch and ran track, specializing in the quarter mile, at Belton High School, Hannibal-LaGrange College, and Missouri Valley College. He also competed in the decathlon as an independent athlete.
Jack worked in hay fields, grocery and clothing stores, and a residential care facility to help pay for his undergraduate education. In an Old Testament class, he met Joyce Kay Detmer. They married in Arrow Rock, Missouri, on August 4, 1963. After earning his bachelor’s degree, Jack joined the Army, became a commissioned officer, and served a tour in Vietnam. He later spent three years at U.S. Army Europe headquarters and was also a coach and athlete for the VII Corps track team. While living in Germany, Jack and Joyce visited 14 countries and started a family with a daughter and son.
In 1973, Jack answered the Lord’s call to be a pastor. His GI Bill benefits helped pay for his Master of Theology degree from Southern Methodist University while his student-pastor positions provided housing and income. Following ordination, the mobile life of his youth continued with appointments to new churches every few years until 1980 when he and his family, now larger with the addition of another son, settled in northeast Oklahoma.
Jack had a heart for local and global missions and endless energy for young people. He embraced creative ministries to meet people at their point of need, share the Gospel, and produce committed followers of Christ. He traveled to Haiti, Kenya, and Mexico. Jack was also a youth group leader, Scoutmaster, and father figure to many kids. He earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Oral Roberts University and authored several books, including one used by missionaries to train pastors. Jack also served as a state director for World Ministry Fellowship.
Jack wanted to be remembered as a person who loved and served the Lord, loved his family, and brought the love and power of the Lord to others. In nearly 50 years of ministry, he led countless services, including the weddings of his three children. He was a shepherd to many flocks as well as a pastor to many individuals who never set foot in a church. He wanted all believers in Jesus Christ to be passionate ministers of the Gospel in Holy Spirit power and encouraged greater cooperation and Christian unity regardless of denomination or tradition of worship.
In addition to sharing his faith and spending time with family, Jack enjoyed leatherworking, frontier crafts, chainsaws, and snacking.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Norbert Jean Nester; grandson, Gabriel Jaxon Nester; and beloved grandparents, aunts, and uncles who made him feel loved and secure.
Jack is survived by his loving wife of 61 years; daughter, Brenda Brunk (husband Jeremy); sons, Neal (wife Holly) and Eric (wife Stacey); eight grandchildren, Brendan, Bret (husband Caleb), Jordan, Jenna, Danielle, Raeleigh, Braden, and Reagan; one great-grandchild, Aurora; nephew, Randy; and nieces, Nicole and Rachel.
Funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, June 19, 2025, at Floral Haven Funeral Home and Cemetery in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to local or global missions.
Webcasting is available at the following link for those that cannot attend in person: Webcasting
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