John L. Estes Jr.

Dr. John L. Estes, Jr.
Abilene

Dr. John L. Estes, Jr. left his earthly home to join his Heavenly Father on Monday, October 25, 2010. Dr. John, as he was lovingly known, was born on August 23, 1923 to John L. Estes, Sr. and Lillian Coffman Estes in Elmdale, Texas. He graduated from Clyde High School in 1940 at the age of sixteen and moved to Abilene soon after graduation to enter Hardin-Simmons to prepare for the study of medicine. While a student at Hardin-Simmons, Dr. John got a job running the elevator at Hendrick Hospital and advanced to serving as an orderly.
Dr. John served as a pilot in the United States Army Air Corps and flew B-29's. After his discharge from the Army Air Corps, he returned to Abilene and entered Abilene Christian College in 1946 where he majored in biology. Dr. John married the love of his life, June Linn, in 1947. Dr. John and June moved to Rosebud where Dr. John taught science at Rosebud High School.
Dr. John gained entrance to the University of Texas Dental School in Houston in 1952. After his graduation from dental school in 1956, Dr. John and June returned to Abilene where he began his practice of dentistry which continued for 54 years. Dr. John was greatly loved by his many patients, seeing several generations of family members.
Dr. John and June were the parents of four children, John L. Estes, III, Jill Estes Bailey Hoebelheinrich, Jay Estes and Jane Estes Weatherbee.
In 1989, Dr. John was invited to join his first medical mission team for volunteer services to the Navajo nation in Arizona. Medical missions proved to be a rewarding experience for Dr. John and he and June made many medical mission trips to Haiti, Honduras, Guatemala and Zambia, Africa. He took several of his children and grandchildren with him on the medical mission trips, instilling in his family a desire to serve others.
Dr. John saw the need for a hospital at Namwianga Mission in Zambia, Africa and worked tirelessly to raise funds for a medical/dental facility. The Namwainga Rural Health Center became a reality and a wing of the hospital/dental facility is now named the Dr. John and June Estes Wing.
Dr. John served as an elder at University Church of Christ for many years and also served on the boards of Haitian Christian Foundation, Abilene Christian Schools, Disability Resources, Inc., Global Samaritan, American State Bank, Zambia Medical Mission and the Model A Ford Club. In addition, Dr. Estes was a life member of the Texas Dental Association and Past-President of the 17th District Dental Society. In 1999, Dr. John and June received the Christian Service Award from Abilene Christian University for their years of dedication and passion for serving others. Dr. John was honored as Outstanding Alumni in 2009 by Clyde High School.
Dr. John was a kind and compassionate man who was loved by all. He always had time to help others and was a good man. He loved the Lord and set a great example for his family, friends and all those who knew and loved him.
Dr. John was preceded in death by his parents, John L. Estes, Sr. and Lillian Estes; a brother, Bobby Frank Estes; a great-grandson, Harrison James Harding; and a son-in-law, David T. Bailey, M.D.; his in-laws, Howard and Gladys Linn; his sisters-in-law, Vema Linn and Patsy Estes; and his nieces, Elizabeth Estes and Brenda Estes Walton.
Dr. John is survived by his wife of 63 years, June Linn Estes; his children, John L. Estes, III and wife Angela; Jill Estes Bailey Hoebelheinrich and husband Phil; Jay Estes and wife Martha; and Jane Estes Weatherbee and husband Glenn; his grandchildren, John L. Estes, IV, Gwin Estes Huey and husband Ryan, James Estes, David T. Bailey, Jr. and wife Lisa, Will Bailey and wife Ani, Ben Bailey and wife Lyric, Jenny Estes Quintero and husband Brian, Justin Estes, Jay Tindol, Victoria Tindol, Tyson Tindol and Rebecca Tindol; his great-grandchildren, Todd Bailey, Jillian Bailey, Hayden Harding and Brendon Quintero; his brothers, Billie Sol Estes and wife Doris; and Word Estes and wife Wauneta; his sisters, Joan Lastovica and husband Alfred; Jean Holcomb and husband Kenneth; his brother-in-law, Gene Linn; his sister-in-law, Gayle Maner and husband Ed; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Memorials may be made to Zambia Medical Mission, 658 E.N. 21st Street, Abilene, Texas 79601 or Abilene Christian Schools, 2550 North Judge Ely Blvd., Abilene, Texas 79601.
Pallbearers will be grandsons, John L. Estes, IV, James Estes, David T. Bailey, Jr., Will Bailey, Ben Bailey, Justin Estes, Jay Tindol and Tyson Tindol. Honorary Pallbearers will be the Elders of the University Church of Christ.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 30, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. at University Church of Christ, Abilene, Texas with Dr. Eddie Sharp officiating. Interment will be at the Estes Family Cemetery in Clyde.