I was 22 when I wrote this article back in 1997 for The Elvis Beat #16, which turned out to be the final issue of my official Elvis Presley Fan Club newsletter.

Vester Presley, Elvis’ uncle, died on January 17. He was 78 and lived in Memphis.

Vester was the brother of Elvis’ father, Vernon. He became Elvis’ double uncle when he married Clettes Smith, the younger sister of Elvis’ mother Gladys. His wife passed away in 1994.

For over 20 years, Vester served as Graceland’s head gate guard, often posing with Elvis’ fans for photographs.