Joseph Leon Nester, age 77, passed away peacefully at his home in Kill Devil Hills, NC, on Sunday, April 12, 2026.

Leon was born on November 22, 1948, in Laurel Fork, VA, to the late Jesse Nester and Alpha Mae Collier Nester. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Cosby Mae Cox (S.J.), Helen Melvina Nester, Nancy Ann Slusher (James), and his brothers, Hugh Paunee Nester (Dot), and Charles Ray Nester.

In addition to his wife, Dale Powell Nester, he is survived by his sons, Mark E. Nester of Roanoke, VA, Geoffrey A. Powell (Belinda) of Longmont, CO, and Matthew A. Nester (Sarah) of Kill Devil Hills, NC. Leon also leaves behind his sister-in-law, Brenda Nester of Roanoke, VA, and two grandsons, Derek A. Powell and Charlie B. Nester. He will also be remembered by many nieces and nephews, along with his beautiful extended family.

Leon graduated from Hillsville High School and went on to the University of Virginia for mechanical engineering for a brief period of time. Eventually, in 1979, he moved to the Outer Banks to build and operate a business, Outer Banks Autotech Inc., with his partner Dave Cowan and his wife, Bobbie. Leon and his wife, Dale, eventually bought the business and continued to run it until 2020. During those forty-one years of business, they had a lot of adventures and made many lifelong friends.

Leon was a sponsor of the Northern Virginia Corvette Club in Virginia. Leon was a past member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles 4506, where he served as Chaplain and was their softball coach. He was also a member of the Colonial Beach Hunt Club in Virginia, a member of the Utah Hunt Club of Bath County, Virginia, and a member of the Manteo High School music boosters and athletic boosters. What Leon enjoyed the most was coaching baseball with Dare County Parks and Recreation Youth, ages nine through thirteen.

A visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, April 20, 2026, at Twiford Funeral Homes, Outer Banks Chapel. A viewing will be held an hour prior to the service. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel, 1035 N Main St, Hillsville, VA 24343 with Pastor Sandy Hendrick officiating. A burial will follow at Nester Cemetery in Laurel Fork, VA. Visitation will be held at Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel on Saturday, April 25, 2026 from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a local charity of one’s choice.