Ricky Dow Hester

Ricky Dow Hester August 5, 1950 – May 17, 2026 Ricky Dow Hester of Roswell passed away peacefully at home on May 17, 2026. Born in Roswell on August 5, 1950, Ricky lived a life filled with love, laughter, and devotion to his family and community. Ricky began his career with Allstate Corporate in 1985, where he trained and mentored agents while building many lifelong friendships along the way. In 1999, he left the corporate side of the business to become an agency owner in Hobbs. Over the years, he expanded his agencies into Roswell, Carlsbad, and Las Cruces, joining his wife Connie in building a successful family business they were proud of together. In 2017, Ricky and Connie retired and passed their agencies on to their children, Crystal in Roswell and Eric in Hobbs. Ricky was an extraordinary businessman with a gift for thinking outside the box. More importantly, he was someone people genuinely enjoyed being around. He had a great sense of humor and never met a stranger. He had a passion for ancestry and genealogy and often helped family and friends uncover pieces of their family history. He loved traveling, dancing, and cheering on the Dallas Cowboys. Above all else, Ricky’s greatest joy was Connie and the family they built together. He celebrated their accomplishments, showed up for the people he loved, and cared for them tirelessly until the very end. Ricky met Connie Branson at Sears while she was purchasing a sewing machine. He asked for her phone number, took her on a date, and from that day forward, they were inseparable. Connie was the center of Ricky’s world. He loved her deeply and spent their 46 years together making sure she was cared for and loved every step of the way. Their marriage was built on loyalty, partnership, laughter, and a love that never faded. Ricky will be remembered for his kindness, humor, and unwavering dedication to those he loved. His presence touched many lives, and his legacy of family, faith, and love will be cherished forever. He was the beloved husband of 46 years to Connie Sue (Branson) Hester; a proud dad to Tim Hester (Lisa) of Strafford, MO, Eric Hester (Joyce) of Hobbs, and Crystal Hester of Roswell; and a cherished grandpa to Dallas Hester (Lexii) of Springfield, MO, Dillon Hester (Leah) of Mountain Home, AR, Kayla Fikany (Zane) of Las Cruces, Kendra Jones of Orlando, FL, Kelsey McCormack of Roswell, and Kirstie McClellan (Jacob) of Lawton, OK; seven great grandkids, Cooper and Astyn Fikany, Noah and Melissa McClellan, Andrew and Wrensley McCormack, and Layla Hester, with one more on the way. Ricky is also survived by his siblings, Marcie Palmer and Sherry Trasp of Roswell and Mike Hester (Judy) of Choctaw, OK; as well as sister in-laws, Karla Villarma of Midwest City, OK, Cindy Branson of Shawnee, OK, and Kathi Beavers (Mike) of Clinton, AR. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members who will carry his memory forward. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dow and Georgia Hester; his brother, Robert Hester; his grandparents, William Presley Hester, Ella Birdie Hall Hester, Robert Pinkney Green, and Theodoca Rodgers Green; his in-laws Ray and Joan Branson; brother in-laws Kenneth Branson and Gary Villarma; and grandma in-laws, Sadie Branson and Harriet Beliel. Pastor Lonnie Owens (nephew) will officiate the service. Pallbearers: Dallas Hester, Zane Fikany, Jacob McClellan, Ed Anderson, William Jacobs, Jason Starnes, Tony Lucero, and Kenneth “Bubba” Branson Honorary Pallbearers: Mike Hester, Dillon Hester, Willie Jacobs, Lonnie Owens, Michael Martinez, Robert Trasp Sr., and Sean Trasp A HUGE Thank you to Kymera Independent Physicians, Dr. Khorsand, Reception, blood labs, Infusion lab, Radiology and anyone we forgot, you guys truly became family. Thank you to Dr. Truitt, Karen and Mag, Dr. Vega, Dr. Torres, Dr. Feroze and Dr. Haney. You all hold a special place in our hearts. “Time to make the donuts.”

Ricky Dow Hester

August 5, 1950 - May 17, 2026