Round Rock Edition | January 2026

Community

BY KATLYNN FOX

Gail “Big Boy” Hester is a Round Rock native who opened Hester’s Automotive in 1960, bring- ing longevity, baseball and community to the city for decades. Hester has lived in Round Rock for 87 years—his entire life. He remembers when it used to have a population of 1,500 people, four grocery stores on Main Street and no central air. He got the name “Big Boy” when he was a child because his twin brother, Dale Hester, was smaller in size. Growing up, he had an interest in baseball and cars—both of which helped him make a lasting impact on the Round Rock community. “Round Rock’s been good to me,” Hester said. “[I] hope I’ve been good to Round Rock.” The background Hester’s entire career has been spent in the automotive industry. His rst job was working at Chevrolet. After leaving Chevrolet, he opened Hester’s Automotive in 1960, which became one of Round Rock’s oldest businesses, Hester said. “It started as a service station, then a garage, radiator shop, body shop, and just kept growing,” Hester said. Through his work at the family-run business, he got involved in the Round Rock Chamber and used his platform to raise money for the YMCA and other local organizations. He continues to hold the annual Big Boy Hester Fishing Trip fundraiser, which has generated about half a million dollars over the last 38 years, he said. Hester was given the Local Legend award by the city in 2002 and Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009 from the Chamber. “I’ve done a lot, but I don’t like to brag about it,” Hester said. “That’s just the way I am.” As a champion for locally owned businesses, he also gives out the Round Rock Chamber’s Big Boy Hester Small Business of the Year award. Dig deeper His awards and recognitions expand beyond the city. During the state’s 89th legislative session, the House of Representatives ocially congratulated Hester on his retirement in 2025 and acknowl- edged his commitment to the community. “Big Boy Hester’s dedication, professionalism, and generosity have greatly beneted his fellow citizens, and he may indeed reect with pride on a career well spent,” the resolution states. Round Rock native Gail ‘Big Boy’ Hester reects on career, community

Gail “Big Boy” Hester walks the through the field named after him at Memorial Park in Round Rock.

COURTESY CITY OF ROUND ROCK

Memorial Park

Baseball eld

600 N. Lee St., Round Rock

Being recognized by the state is one of Hester’s highest honors, he said, and one he is very proud of. “That’s probably one of [the] highlights of my career,” Hester said. Learn more Hester is also known for his involvement in bringing baseball to Round Rock with the Round Rock Express and Dell Diamond. He was on Round Rock’s rst little league base- ball team at 12-years-old and through a commit- ment to the sport and community, he campaigned for people to “vote for baseball,” he said. In July 2024, Round Rock’s Memorial Park was renamed Big Boy Hester Family Field in his honor. Looking ahead Hester ocially retired from his automotive business in February 2025 and his investment in the community came full circle in November, when he had his retirement party at United Heritage Center

Gail Hester speaks at the 7th annual Cattleman's Ball in Round Rock.

COURTESY HESTER FAMILY

in Dell Diamond. With a live band and about 300 guests, Hester celebrated 65 years of service in the community, a legacy that isn’t over yet. “I’ll stay in contact with the banks, the Ryans, the Chamber, the Y,” Hester said. “I stay in contact with them all the time. ... I have a lot of friends in Round Rock.” He also plans to continue raising money for local organizations and continuing his annual shing trip fundraiser.

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