Last Updated on October 10, 2026 1:43 pm
Robert “Zane” Tester, who served as Boone’s chief of police from 1986 to 1998 and later became a local pastor, has died at age 80.
Tester died Thursday, Oct. 8, at Watauga Medical Center, according to his obituary from Austin & Barnes Funeral Home.
The Boone Police Department announced his death on Facebook, calling him one of the men who helped shape the history, traditions and culture of the department. Police Chief Daniel Duckworth wrote that Tester left law enforcement in 1998 to serve full-time as a pastor, and that his service to Boone and Watauga County spanned more than five decades, first through law enforcement and later through ministry.
Family and survivors
Tester was born Aug. 12, 1946, to William Clyde and Martha Lillian Tester. His obituary describes him as a pastor, husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. He is survived by his wife, Edith; stepson Lanny Wilson; daughter Kelly (Eric) Proffit; granddaughters Gracie (Dakota) Silvers and Lily Proffit; great-granddaughter Tinsley Silvers; sisters Judy Mann and Janie (Richard) Aldridge; and brothers Johnny (Donna) Tester and Junior Tester.
Services
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 3 p.m. at Cornerstone Missionary Baptist Church, 169 Cornerstone Ln., Deep Gap. The family will receive friends from 1 to 3 p.m. at the church before the service. Graveside services will follow at Westview Cemetery.
Obituary courtesy of Austin & Barnes Funeral Home
Robert Zane Tester born August 12, 1946 to William Clyde and Martha Lillian Tester finished his course on Thursday October 8th at 4:21pm in room number 421 at Watauga Medical Center.
Zane was many things to many people; Pastor, Husband, Daddy, Paw, Big Brother, Chief, fisherman, buddy, teammate on the ballfield and most of all the friend that loved you with everything he had in him. He made you feel like you were the most important person in the world. He would always greet you with excitement and that big smile that none of us will never ever forget!
Zane left an impression everywhere he went. He made every encounter with people count for something and leave an impact trailing behind him for generations to come. From a young age he was ready to take on the world wide open. He went from a very rowdy young man to the most honorable man there has ever been in our book.
There was nothing more important to Zane than our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. If he told you who knew him or a total stranger one time or for the hundredth time, nothing in this present world was more important than serving the Lord and knowing him as your personal Savior. Then after sharing the gospel with, you always came the most heartfelt words, I LOVE YOU.
Zane‘s next priority was his beautiful wife of 50 years and his one and only baby girl who viewed him as her real live super hero. Zane made sure that every need and want was met, but most of all the love and endless bear hugs he gave was immeasurable. Then came his main man, Eric. He never failed to tell him how proud of him he was for serving as a man of God. Then the highlights came when there was Gracie and Lily, and then Tinsley words cannot explain the love he had for them all. After the loss of Linda came Edith, who he adored and bragged on how beautiful she was all the time and that she was the best cook ever. Edith and her son Lanny brought a purpose back for Zane to once again prove how much love he had to share. They shared a beautiful life, taking care of each other and enjoying their time together.
In the end he was still being a servant and preaching the word of God from a wheelchair in a facility without shame and only concern for souls!
He leaves behind for now his wife, Edith, step-son Lanny Wilson and his dog Sammy, his daughter, Kelly (Eric)Proffit, granddaughter, Gracie (Dakota) Silvers, great-granddaughter Tinsley Silvers, granddaughter Lily Proffit and Fiancé Levi Sadler, the most faithful loving sisters, Judy Mann and Janie (Richard) Aldridge, brothers Johnny (Donna) Tester and Junior Tester. Several other family members that were all special to him.
Funeral Services for Zane will be on Tuesday, October 13, 2026 3:00 PM at Cornerstone Missionary Baptist Church. The family will be receiving friends from 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM prior to services. Graveside services will follow at Westview Cemetery.
Online condolences may be shared at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Tester family.
