Bud Estes

1946 - 2021

BUCKLIN – Bud Estes, 74 passed into our Lord's presence Saturday, February 13, 2021 at Hill Top House in Bucklin, Kansas.
He was born on October 4, 1946 in Dodge City, Kansas the son of Maynard, Sr. and Wanda (Brown) Estes. He was a 1964 graduate of Bucklin High School and received his Bachelors Degree from Ft. Hays State University. In May of 1968 he joined the family business, Bucklin Tractor and Implement, which was founded by his grandfather and run by his father Maynard. He spent 5 decades with the company in sales, management and eventually ownership along with his siblings. Near retirement from BTI, Bud found his passion in politics. He was elected to the Kansas Senate in 2016 and re-elected in 2020. Prior to his time as a Senator, he served in the Kansas House for four years, representing District 119. During his time in the Senate, he was the chair of the Federal & State Affairs Committee and Vice Chair of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.
He was a member of the Bucklin United Methodist Church as well as member and past president of both Bucklin Lions Club and Dodge City Roundup. He also served as mayor of Bucklin for 16 years. Bud devoted a lifetime to improving his community, his state and the lives of numerous individuals who he came to know.
On December 3, 1995 he married Renae D. Eyster in Las Vegas, Nevada. She survives.
Survivors also include: 3 sons, Tad Estes and wife Barbara, Las Vegas, Nevada, Brad Estes and wife Mishaun, Bucklin and Jordan Dyck and wife Hannah, Overland Park; one daughter, Leilani Bell and husband Charles, Frisco, Texas; 2 brothers, Mike Estes and wife Kristy, Bucklin and Kelly Estes and wife Debbie, Pratt; one sister, Letty Bachelor, Bucklin; 2 grandchildren, Talon Estes, West Point, New York and Ridge Estes, Bucklin; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, Dave Bachelor.
Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, February 22, 2021 at the Bucklin High School Gymnasium with Jeff Hiers and Chaplain Dave DePue officiating. Burial will follow in the Bucklin Cemetery. Visitation with the family present will be Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. at Minnis Mortuary, Bucklin.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Hill Top House or Bucklin Lions Club both in care of Minnis Mortuary, 1901 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas 67801. Condolences may be sent to www.minnismortuary.net.