Vester Lee Choate

Vester Lee Choate was born on July 30, 1938, in Red Top, Missouri in Polk County to Wilfred James Clarence Choate and Ruth Alberta (Cates) Choate. He passed away on March 5, 2024, at his home in Pleasant Hope, Missouri. He is survived by two brothers. Edward Mack Choate of the home, Delbert Loy Choate and wife Rita Jane (Covert) Choate of Rolla, Missouri and sister-in-law Delcie (Kibby) Choate of Halfway, Missouri. Also surviving are four of Junior and Delcie’s children: Adrian and wife Dewanna of Climax Springs, Missouri; Desree’ and husband Steve Kapica of Fair Grove, Missouri; Myron and wife Cheryl of Halfway, Missouri; and Errol and wife Jill of Pleasant Hope, Missouri; Delbert and Jane’s children: James Allen Choate of Laquey, Missouri, and Cynthia and husband John Stevenson of St. Clair, Missouri; and Edward’s daughter: Rhonda and husband Michael Sneed of Willard, Missouri. Also surviving are several great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins. His father, Wilfred, preceded him in death in 1961 and his mother, Ruth, in 1995, as well as a brother, Wilfred “Junior” Choate and two nephews, Aaron Lee Choate and Farron Lee Choate. Vester was saved at age thirteen at Schofield Missionary Baptist Church. He was baptized and joined Schofield, where he remained a faithful member until the time of his passing. He attended school and graduated Halfway, High School. Soon after graduation, he joined the United States Air Force, where he received numerous decorations and awards during service to his Country. He was honorably discharged in January of 1962 and returned home to live with his Mother for the rest of her life. He was a loving son and vigilant caretaker for her in the later years of her life. Upon the death of his brother Edward’s wife, Bonnie, in 2017, Vester willingly sought and took on the role of being caregiver to brother Edward who had been the victim of a stroke. They continued to share a home where Vester, again, provided compassionate, patient and loving care to a family member until his passing. Vester worked at Lily-Tulip Cup Corporation for several years and later retired from Greene County Highway Department. At the time of his death, Vester was doing one of the things he liked best – and that was “tinkering with” one of his trucks there at home. Although Vester never married, he proved himself to be a loyal companion and a man of integrity throughout his life. He will be missed by his family and many friends, particularly those at Schofield Church. Vester Lee Choate, Good Servant of his Lord and Savior, has gone Home. A visitation will be held from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM on Monday, March 11, 2024, at Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar. Funeral services will take place after the visitation Monday, beginning at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow at Rock Prairie Cemetery, North of Pleasant Hope.

Vester Lee Choate

July 30, 1938 - March 6, 2024