Linda Kay Leake Kesler, formerly of Lake Jackson, Texas; Doss, Texas; and Tiki Island, Texas, was born on July 4, 1952, to Al and Margaret Leake in Las Vegas, New Mexico.

Her family moved to the Brazosport area in 1965, and she graduated from Brazosport High School in 1970. She earned an elementary education degree from Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University) in 1973.

While in college, Linda was a member of Delta Zeta Sorority, served as President of the Association of Women Students, was selected as a Gaillardian, was a semi-finalist and named Miss Congeniality in the 1972 All-Campus Beauty Pageant, served in Student Senate, and received the Sally Beretta Outstanding Senior Woman Award.

In 1973, she married Dr. David Kent Kesler. She taught second grade in Navasota, Texas, for two years while her husband completed veterinary school. In 1975, they moved to Lake Jackson, Texas, where Linda taught elementary and intermediate school in Brazosport Independent School District for 25 years. She loved teaching and especially loved teaching seventh-grade Texas history.

Linda and David welcomed their first son, Ryan, in 1977 and their second son, Kent, in 1982. She was very involved in their activities while raising their family in Lake Jackson. Linda served as President of the Junior Service League of Brazosport and was a member of First United Methodist Church of Lake Jackson, where she taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School.

Linda retired from teaching in 2005, and she and her husband moved to Doss, Texas. There, she was a member of Hilda Methodist Church and served as President of the United Methodist Women, President of the Doss Community Club, President of the Mason Study Club, and as a member of the Doss School Board. Linda loved the Hill Country and enjoyed raising chickens on their ranch.

In 2020, Linda and David moved to Tiki Island, Texas, to be closer to their children and grandchildren. There, she was a member of God’s Girls of Tiki Island, the Tiki Island Lunch Bunch, the Tiki Island Ladies Social Group, Clear Lake United Methodist Church, and Clear Lake United Methodist Women. One of her favorite activities was walking along the seawall in Galveston.

Linda enjoyed hunting, especially turkey hunting. She loved sitting in a deer blind taking pictures of wildlife and enjoyed reading, crafting, and making cards. She loved sunsets and took many photographs of them. She treasured time spent with friends and felt blessed by her travels. Her family was very important to her, and she cherished the time she spent with them.

She is survived by her husband, Dr. David Kent Kesler; sons Ryan Kesler and wife Melissa, and Kent Kesler and wife Michelle; grandchildren Mason Kesler and wife Summer, Mallory Kesler, Kate Kesler, and Claire Kesler; brother-in-law Gary Kesler and wife Linda; nephews Curtis Kesler and wife Gretchen, with children Noah and Hadley, and Scott Kesler, with son Colin; nieces Brandi Leake Bonvillian and husband Kyle, with son Grayson, and Cyndi Leake Montoya and husband Chris, with children Sofia, Kynleigh, Avery, and Jett.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Scotty Leake, in 2019.

Memorials may be made to Hilda Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1404, Mason, Texas 78624, or to Clear Lake United Methodist Church.

A Celebration of Life will be held Monday, December 22, at 11:00 a.m. at Clear Lake United Methodist Church, 16335 El Camino Real, Houston, Texas 77062.