Richard Harold Ester, 79, of Silsbee died Friday, August 26, 2011 at Christus Hospital St. Elizabeth in Beaumont.

Richard was a lifelong resident of Silsbee. He was a captain in the Beaumont Fire Department.  He learned how to play the fiddle as a small boy and enjoyed music with his family who were all musically talented.  His favorite instruments were the fiddle and guitar or anything with a string.  Later in life, he took pride in crafting unique fiddles.  He also served our country in the United States Army during the Korean War.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Ester of Silsbee; children, Joel Ester of Vidor, Jana Tevis and her husband, Arnie of Lumberton, Phillip Ester and his wife, Agnis Ho of Houston, Ronald Moore of Beaumont, Michael Moore and his wife, Kimberly of Lumberton and Donna Kasher and her husband, Marc also of Lumberton; grandchildren, Brittany Gordey and her husband, Tony, Lauren Tevis, Leslie Tevis, Kristin King, Karli Kasher, Haley Moore, and Amber Moore; great grandchildren, Bradley Clough, Brecken Clough, Gaige Gordey, and Gabriel Gordey; brothers and sisters; Sidney Ester and his wife, Cynthia of Silsbee, Gladys Ruth Henderson and her husband, Buddy of Pasadena, Billie Cantlon of Silsbee, and Lynn Ester and his wife, Linda Lou also of Silsbee.

Richard is preceded in death by his parents; Louis and Gladys Ester; son, Danny Moore; and sister, Wilma Daly.

Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, August 30, 2011, at Broussard’s 490 Cemetery Road in Silsbee with burial to follow at R. S. Farmer Cemetery in Silsbee.  A gathering of family and friends will be Monday, August 29, 2011, 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Broussard’s.