Patrick Allen Kester of Oak Harbor passed away suddenly on June 17, 2006.

Pat was born in Escondido, Calif. on July 4, 1967 to Robert Eugene Kester (USN ret.) and Kayoko Kester. He was preceded in death by his father and brother Charley Eugene Kester. He is survived by his mother, Kayoko Kester of Oak Harbor and countless friends that will miss him dearly.

Pat and his family came to Oak Harbor in 1970 when his father transferred here with the Navy. While attending grade school, Pat began his life-long passionate relationship with motorcycles. After Pat’s parents bought him and his brother their first dirt bikes, from then on he was always either tuning and building his own bikes or helping friends with theirs.

Pat’s parents also enrolled him in Japanese-style Karate where he excelled at the art, earning a brown belt while competing in tournaments up and down the West Coast, often fighting against black belts.

While attending Oak Harbor High School Pat had a part-time job at S&S Cycle, where he furthered his skills as a motorcycle builder and tuner. While employed there he bought his first street bike; a rare 1982 Kawasaki Eddie Lawson replica 1000-R, one of only 700 made in the world. Pat always kept the bike and was well on his way to getting it back on the road before he passed away.

Eddie Lawson was like a childhood hero to Pat in a sense; he loved to collect artwork and memorabilia in honor of the man and often talked with his friends about how neat it would be to meet the world champion motorcycle racer someday. Ironically, Pat got to do just that a few months before his death. On the day he passed away, Pat was motorcycle racing at Hannegan Speedway; this was another “dream” of his that was fulfilled.

While still employed at S&S, Pat knew he wanted to learn the art of automotive painting, partly because he was tired of paying for paint jobs he was never completely happy with. After many trips to Westside Auto Rebuild and a little arm twisting, he finally convinced owner Monty Rollag to hire him as an apprentice. Pat worked there for 17 years, honing his skills in all areas of autobody repair, fabrication and custom painting. Pat worked his way up to the journeyman level before venturing out to start his own business, Bodyworks and Rhino Linings of Whidbey, continuing his work with autobody repair and custom motorcycle work.

There is so much one could write about someone after they have gone but only so much space to write it. The friends and loved ones Pat left behind would all agree and surely tell you that underneath his sometimes rough and “wild haired” exterior beat a heart of gold and that Pat was the kind of man who would literally give you the shirt off his back or the last dollar he had if you really needed it. Patrick, you will be remembered by us in many different ways, as a son, a brother, master motorcycle tuner, “a wild man,” and of course a true friend. We will all see you again someday, and when we do, have the bikes gassed up and ready for us – OK?

In memory of Pat, donations are being accepted on behalf of his elderly mother Kayoko Kester, a WWII Tokyo bombing refugee and last living member of his immediate family; gifts will help Kayoko with necessary home repairs and living expenses. If you would like to help, you can take or send your gift to Westside Auto Rebuild, 1500 S Beeksma Dr, Oak Harbor, WA 98277. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.