Kester Andrew Sink

Kester Sink, 100, of Mount Airy, passed away Wednesday, August 28, 2024, after a brief illness. Mr. Sink was born in Davidson County on September 13, 1923. He graduated from North Carolina State University with a degree in agriculture economics and served as a lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps during World War II. He married the first love of his life, Adelaide Angell Bunker, in 1947, moved to Mount Airy, and began farming the ancestral home of Chang Bunker, one of the original “Siamese Twins.” Kester and Adelaide had two daughters, Adelaide “Alex” and Dottie. After Adelaide’s passing in 1968, Kester found and married the second love of his life, Kate Cater, in 1980. Kate died in 1994, and Kester continued to work the farm and stay actively involved in the Surry County agriculture and business communities. He eventually found true love again and married Rosie Shackelford in 2007. Rosie lovingly cared for Kester until his passing.

Kester was certainly one-of-a-kind and cannot be placed into any single category. He was equally comfortable working in his fields or sitting in board rooms. He had immense respect for the past and all those who went before him but always looked to improve farming methods whenever possible. In collaboration with North Carolina State University, he was particularly proud of his innovative work with hybrid seed corn.

Kester was a recognized leader in North Carolina agriculture. He served as president of the North Carolina Foundation Seed Producers and the North Carolina Crop Improvement Association and was a board member of the North Carolina Pork Producers Association. In 1961, The Progressive Farmer magazine awarded the prestigious “Master Farm Family” designation to the family. Kester believed in working hard and saving your money but was incredibly generous, giving significantly to numerous community causes. He was a lot of things, including farmer, businessman, real estate developer, and philanthropist. There was one thing he never was – shy. If he was in the room, you knew it. If he had an opinion, he would share it, even if he wasn’t asked. He had a huge personality and everyone who knew him was better off for it. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

He is predeceased by his parents, John and Ida Jane Alexander Sink; his brothers, Terry Sink and Foy Sink; and his sister, Edna Koontz. He is survived by a large extended family, including his wife, Rosie; his daughters, Adelaide “Alex” Sink, Tampa, FL, and Dottie Sink Sykes (Charlie), Boone; his stepchildren, Kathryn Bergquist (David), Alpharetta, GA, Clinton “C.D.” Cater (Kathy), Charlotte, Taylor Shackelford, Brevard, and Stephanie Stewart, Mount Airy; his grandchildren, Adelaide Williams, Meredith Aberle (Tim), Bert McBride (Alissa), and Lexi McBride Crawford (Douglas); his stepgrandchildren, Cody, Dillon, Kate and Cole Cater, Emily, Cater and Larson Bergquist, Walker and Hudson Shackelford, Daisie Morelli (Brandon), and Demmie Doughty (Evan); and his great-grandchildren, Luke, Brooks and Claire Williams, Charlie and Ben Aberle, Bill and Bryce McBride, William and Lily Crawford, and Hazel Morelli.

A memorial service for Mr. Sink will be held Sunday, September 1, 2024, at 3:00 PM at Central United Methodist Church, 1909 North Main Street, Mount Airy, with the Rev. Danny Miller officiating.

Rosie wishes to thank the entire staff of the Skilled Care Unit at Northern Regional Hospital and the caregivers from American Healthcare for their love and care of Kester during his illness.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Siamese Twins Museum, 215 Rockford Street, Mount Airy, NC 27030; Surry Central High School FFA, attention Sarah Johnson, 716 South Main Street, Dobson, NC 27017; or the Hospice Rose Garden, Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home, 945 Zephyr Road, Dobson, NC 27017.

Moody Funeral Service is entrusted with Mr. Sink’s funeral arrangements.