Tributes have poured in for a larger than life former Devon teacher turned security guard who led a fascinating and full life.
Kes Kesteven, who previously taught at schools including in Exeter and Paignton, passed away on December 16, just a few weeks after celebrating his 70th birthday.
His death was due to diabetes complications. The father-of-three, of Teignmouth, is not only well-known by many for being a teacher, but also his love of rugby and music, and working at Sandy Bay holiday park.
His daughter Jo Bowery said: “He was the life and soul of the party. He was a big presence in stature as well as personality. Since he passed away, so many people have got in touch to say how he was the glue that held friendship groups together.
“He was really active on Facebook and was in all these different groups such as with former pupils and colleagues. He would be the one that would arrange social gatherings and get people together.
Kes Kesteven celebrating his 70th birthday
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“People have told us how they are now in touch with old friends because of him as he connected them back together.
“Dad had a massive sense of humour. He was always coming out with one liners, making jokes and playing pranks such as hiding my grandmother’s glasses by wearing them on his head.
“He was just a very fun, friendly and outgoing person who cared very much about his family and friends.”
Kes’s funeral and celebration of life is being held on Friday, January 10. The funeral service will be held at Our Lady and St Patrick RC Church in Teignmouth, at 10am, followed by a committal at Exeter and Devon Crematorium at 11.30am.
A wake will then take place at Teignmouth Rugby Club from 12.30pm. The dress code for the funeral is to wear something pink because it was his favourite colour, and he was adamant his final farewell would not be a sombre affair.
Jo said: “He even had a pink phone and a pink phone case. He also loved wearing fancy dress and always pushed it that extra little bit such as going to a work Christmas do dressed up as a fairy.”
Kes Kesteven wearing fancy dress on a night out with Exeter College colleagues
(Image: Submitted)
Many tributes to Kes have been posted online after Jo announced the news of his death on Facebook.
One person said: “I’m so saddened to hear this news. Kes was my rugby coach at St Joseph’s and one of the kindest men I ever had the pleasure to have met. Rest in peace Kes.”
Another added: “My wife and I worked with your dad at Devon Cliffs. He was an exceptional human being and so much fun to be around and was always up for a laugh, and always willing to join us on stage.”
He continued: “We will always remember Kes as an absolute riot and a loving family man as he talked about all of you often.”
A former pupil said: “Oh, so sad. He was an amazing teacher was one of my favourites.”
Kes was born in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, but never lived anywhere for very long because his dad was in the Navy. During his childhood, he spent a couple of years in Singapore and then returned back to the UK.
He trained as a teacher at former teacher training college La Sainte Union (LSU) in Southampton and began his career teaching pupils in South London.
However, it was short lived because he changed direction and instead ran a newsagents in St Albans and then worked in educational publishing near Swindon.
Kes Kesteven in his younger days
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He married his wife Cath in 1976 and together they had three daughters and were later kept busy with eight grandchildren. Kes and his family moved to Exmouth in 1988 where he continued to work in publishing before returning back to being a teacher. He taught at Sacred Heart Primary School in Paignton before relocating to Bradley Rowe Middle School in Exeter between 1944 and 2001.
He is well remembered there for his PE lessons and running the school football team. At the same time as being a teacher, Kes also worked in the evenings as part of the security team at Sandy Bay holiday park in Exmouth.
After becoming frustrated by the amount of paperwork involved in the teaching profession, he left education and worked full-time in security and worked for many years at Exeter College. Up until his retirement, he worked at The Royal Marines Commando Training Centre as a security officer.
Kes’s personal life was consistently dominated by his love of rugby. When he first moved to Devon, he played for Exmouth Rugby Club’s first team and went on to be captain of Exmouth Nomads, its third team.
For a time, he was also secretary of Exmouth Rugby Club and was well-known for being an advocate of women’s rugby. He helped Rolle College establish its first ladies team and coached Brixham ladies rugby team for a period from the late ’90s.
Kes Kesteven with his wife Cath
(Image: Submitted)
When Kes was no longer physically able to play rugby, he became a referee and then a referee assessor to keep his hand in the game.
Kes was also hugely passionate about music. He is well remembered for having run a local disco and karaoke business called Chaos with his friend Mark Hardy and was never shy about picking up the microphone and singing a song himself. He had a vast knowledge of music so enjoyed taking part in music quizzes.
During his years in Devon he lived in Broadclyst, near Exeter, Exmouth and Teignmouth.
Anyone who knew Kes is invited to attend any or all of the day of his funeral. For anyone unable to attend, there will be remote access to the church and crematorium services.
The livestream from Our Lady & St Patrick will be via the church Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AllSaintsTeignmouth Livestream from Exeter & Devon Crematorium will be via: https://www.wesleymedia.co.uk/webcast-view and you will need to enter the following PIN: 481-4588
To share memories, stories or photos, there is a tribute website: https://stuartkesteven.muchloved.com