Obituary of James Edwin Kesler

James "Ed" Kesler, 85, of Port Murray, NJ passed away suddenly September 14, 2019 at Overlook Medical Center in Summit, NJ.

Ed was born on January 11, 1934 in Mount Hope, West Virginia to the late Dewey and Eva Mae Kesler.

Ed graduated from Virginia Poly Tech University as an electrical engineer. He went on to receive his Master's degree from NYU where he was involved in the launch and operation of the Telstar program and the initial call between France and the USA in 1960. He married the love of his life Carol 'Messerschmidt" in 1963. He was employed at AT&T for 33 years. He "retired" and purchased Marlatt's Fruit Farm and formed Tree-Licious Orchards in Port Murray, NJ, which he loved. The orchard gave him years of joy developing new varieties of apples and peaches and supplying his customers with special, unusual varieties native to their countries or area of the United States. During his last week he chatted with his family about planting new varieties of peaches for the future. Ed was a hard worker who loved his orchard, he loved computers but above all he loved his family and treasured every moment spent with them.

In addition to his devoted wife of 56 years Carol Kesler, he is survived by his loving children, Virginia Ann and her husband Dale Carlson, James Charles Kesler, Susan Margaret and her husband Sal Athalye and Elaine Marie and her husband Robert Johnston. Also his loving grandchildren, Andrew, Benjamin, Victoria, Olivia and William. He is also survived by his brothers Wayne Kesler and Marvin Galen Kesler, and a sister in law Margaret Freiman.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother Gary Kesler and a sister-in-law Dorothy.

Family and friends may pay their respects on Sunday, September 22, 2019 from 2-5 PM at the Warren Hills Memorial Home. 234 W. Washington Ave. Washington, NJ 07882. Funeral service will be held on Monday, September 23, 2019 at 11:00 at St. Luke's Lutheran Church, 214 State Hwy 31, Washington, NJ 07882. Burial will immediately follow the service at Fairmount Cemetery, Tewksbury Township, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in James' name to St. Luke's Lutheran Church or Mansfield Emergency Squad, PO Box131, 301 Airport Road, Port Murray, NJ 07865, http://www.mansfieldtownship-nj.gov/first-responders.html

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Warren Hills Memorial Home.