Dave Estes

Longtime Juneauite Dave Estes died suddenly from a heart attack the morning of March 6th (early reports that a "fire-breathing dragon" was involved could not be confirmed by press time). Born in Port Angeles, Washington, to Bev and Joan Estes, Dave graduated from Port Angeles High School and went on to earn a BS and MS at the University of Washington... He moved to Alaska in 1975 and worked for the Department of Environmental Conservation for several years before opening his own business in downtown Juneau: Collectors' Hideaway.

As Juneau's "card shop guy" for nearly twenty years, Dave earned the respect and friendship of his patrons by showing the same enthusiasm as they did for the unique and curious things that brought them so much joy. Dave was an expert in collectible cards, figurines, and coins, and he understood what they meant to the people that did business with him. He was well known for his enthusiasm for helping others collect the things that brought them happiness, as well as his efforts to provide a safe place for adults and youth alike to celebrate their hobbies and collections.

For years, he organized after-school and weekend gaming opportunities at his shop that provided a positive place for gamers to go and play the card games they loved. He was as much of an enthusiast as any of his customers. He could be found playing Magic: the Gathering almost every Friday night since he became hooked on the game in 1994. He was known to refer to it as "Magic: the Addiction," and loved the social aspects of the game far more than winning or losing.

Dave married Lynette Ensor in 1970, and they had three children - Zaedryn and Brynith of Brooklyn, New York, and Taimhyr, of Seattle. Dave loved sports and games, but also literature - especially science fiction and mysteries - and movies and TV "but only good TV" he would likely say, "though bad movies are okay." He was always a diehard Dodgers fan and even claimed to sweat Dodger Blue. In later years he followed the Mariners as well, much to his frustration.

He loved living in Juneau, and he knew and cared for all sorts of people in the community. He had a marvelous sense of humor, and though he was never a vain man, those close to him knew that "in his youth, he had great hair, I mean just spectacular, and a gentle, mischievous smile and a twinkle in his eye that never left him."

He is survived by his longtime loving companion, Sheila Burton, his three daughters, his sister Irene and brothers Jack and Dan, and many friends and loyal customers. Anyone wishing to make contributions in his name are encouraged to consider Perseverance Theatre (one of Dave's favorite sources of culture) or the Dave Estes Memorial Fund being set up at True North Federal Credit Union in support of the ongoing education of his children (one of Dave's favorite sources of love). His family asks that folks celebrate his life by doing something special for themselves --or by rooting for the Dodgers, whose batting average is only .257 and could frankly use the boost.