George Ervin Estep Jr.

George Ervin Estep, Jr. Cox Funeral Home Bastrop, Louisiana BASTROP, LA. George Ervin Estep, Jr. 84, a resident of Bastrop, LA and native of Hot Springs County, AR passed away at Cherry Ridge Nursing Home on Sunday, April 1, 2012. Visitation will be held at Cox Funeral Home, Bastrop, LA on Monday, April 2nd, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Services will be held at the funeral home chapel on Tuesday, April 3, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Dalyn D. Helbling officiating. Interment will follow in Bastrop Memorial Park Cemetery. Mr. Estep is preceded in death by his parents, George Ervin Estep, Sr. and Hattie Mae "Simpson" Estep. George graduated from Forest High School in 1946, then joined the U.S. Navy and served as Seaman 1 on the USS Valley Forge and was a member of the original crew and plank owner of the USS Coral Sea. After being honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy in 1948 and his marriage to Sue, he entered employment with the International Paper Company in Bastrop, and retired after 43 years of dedicated service. Among his numerous awards and activities, he served 21 years as a school board member in District 3 with the Morehouse Parish School Board. George was a kind and gentle man who enjoyed his vegetable garden year round. More importantly, he was a man of great faith and an active member of the Bastrop First Church of God where he enjoyed his Sunday school classes, participating in the church choir and many other activities at his church. Throughout his life he was an avid sportsman, enjoying hunting and fishing with his wife, sons and grandchildren. He coached his sons and many other youngsters in baseball for many years, sharing his love of the sport as well as his strong family values. Mr. Estep is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Sue Perry Estep; four sons, Kenneth and wife Cheryl of Bastrop, LA; Danny of Bastrop, LA; Mike and wife Laverne of Bastrop, LA; and Doug and wife Jerri of Baton Rouge, LA; ten grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by two brothers; Don and wife Pat of Monroe, LA; Lynn and wife Sandra of Webster, NH; and two sisters, Fay Jinks of Monroe, LA; and Fran and husband Chuck Stolhand of Buda, TX. Serving as pallbearers are Kenny Estep, Jr., Danny Estep, Jr., Chad Estep, Joey Collins, Matt Romaire, and Doyle Jinks. Honorary pallbearers are David Estep and Jody Perry. The family would like to extend their deep appreciation to the Cherry Ridge Nursing Home, St. Francis Hospital, and Cornerstone Hospital staff for their care and compassion during George's illness. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Alzheimer's Association or the Bastrop First Church of God. To extend online condolences to the Estep family, please visit our website at www.coxfuneral.com.