Shelby Jester

Shelby Lee Jester 82, of Hot Springs, Arkansas passed away peacefully on May 25, 2025 in his home. His loving family cared for him during his last and final stage of ill­ness.

Shelby was born in Curtis, Arkansas, May 17, 1943 to Ruby Manning Jester and Roy Jester. He often spoke about his wonderful childhood in Curtis, fishing, shooting guns, hunting quail, and playing with his cousins. The family moved multiple times during his childhood from Curtis to Arkadelphia, to Indiana and then back to Hot Springs. Shelby was passionate about motors as his father was a car salesman. He developed his skills working on lawnmower engines which evolved into car engines specializing in carburetors. After graduating high-school he had a shop in Hobart and became well known within the racing industry for his carburetor work.

He started his racing career at US 30 Dragstrip outside of Chicago. He was known as the "Arkansas Joker". He won divisional titles in NHRA Division 4 and was a world champion in AHRA in 1978 in Pro Stock. His reputation and professionalism as a perfectionist was admired by racers and fans all over the country. Just recently he was voted in the Arkansas Drag Racing Hall of Fame which was a huge honor for him and his family.

He missed his large family in Arkansas so he moved back to Hot Springs. He opened his own business Jester's Tune Up Shop which kept him busy day and night. During this time he was offered to be the head mechanic and driver for professional racers. He accepted racing jobs from Shay Nichols in Abilene Texas and then Claude Hodges in Oklahoma.

After living a life on the road, he decided to slow down and get into boating. House­ boats, seadoos, and ski boats on Lake Ouachita was his next chapter of excitement. It was important to him to be with his children and grandchildren to experience life on Lake Ouachita. These times were filled with adventures of fishing, camping, swimming, tubing, and just enjoying nature.

Shelby's work ethics were impeccable and his beloved coworkers at St. Joseph's CHI Hospital and Lifemobile treasured his friendship, knowledge and his stories of racing.

He leaves behind his sister, Fae Graham of Texarkana; daughter, Michele Story {Greg) of Hot Springs; son, Mitch Jester {Cris) of Lebanon Indiana, granddaughters, Lauren Story Hefta {Mike) of Little Rock, and Shelby Wood (Matt) of Jessieville; grandsons, Wyn Jester (Breanna)of  Lebanon Indiana, and Ben Howell (Erika) of Lebanon, Indiana; Great grandchil­dren, Landon Jester, Evelyn and Eleanor Howell of Lebanon, Indiana, Wrangler Lee Wood of Jessieville, and Maddox Gregory Hefta of Little Rock. Shelby also leaves behind the mother of his children, ex-wife Connie Johnson of Lebanon, Indiana; and life partner of 37 years Mary Stryjewski.

Pallbearers will be: Wyn Jester, Ben Howell, Mike Hefta, Matt Wood, Craig Stevens, and David Bryant.

Honorary Pallbearers will be: James Hardman, St. Josephs Lifemobile crew, Clyde Jester, and Hospice Home Care. 

Visitation will be Friday, May 30th, at Smith Family Funeral Home in Hot Springs, from 5:00-7:00pm. Services will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2:00pm also at Smith Family Funeral Home Chapel.

Burial will take place at Mt. Tabor cemetery in Glenwood, Arkansas.