Foye Eugene Estes

Foye Eugene Estes, known to everyone as "Dean" or "Pa Dean", passed away on December 13, 2024, at the age of 99, in Cleveland, Oklahoma. 

Dean was born on August 22, 1925, in Cripple Creek, Colorado, the son of Charley J. and Myrtle D (Ramey) Brannan. At a young age, Dean moved to Mena, Arkansas. On October 11, 1943, Dean enlisted in the United States Navy and was initially stationed in San Diego, California. Dean was also stationed in Florida, where he obtained his certification as third-class aviation radioman. Dean flew many missions as the radio man during World War II. During his time in the Navy, Dean received the following decorations and citations American Area Campaign Medal, Victory Medal, and the European African Middle Easter Area Camp. Upon his discharge, Dean moved to Cleveland and united in marriage to Twila Fern (Cox). He returned and finished his high School education, graduating in the Class of 1952 from Cleveland High School. Dean soon returned to California until the early 1960s when he returned to Cleveland. He worked for his dad at the Drink More Bar in Cleveland. Dean soon began working on the pipeline for F.D. Curtis at Cleveland X-Ray. He also worked on and off part time for Bruce McDonald at Mack’s for 20+ years. On March 17, 1965, Dean was united in marriage to Nora Geneive Carter in Miami, Oklahoma. The couple established their home in Cleveland for 60 plus years. 

In 1971 Dean was initiated into the Masonic Fraternity at the Hebron Lodge in Cleveland, Oklahoma, being passed and raised to the degree of Master Mason in 1972. Dean had various hobbies including playing dominos and cards with anyone willing to lose a few coins, and he was known to be quite a pool shark to any unsuspecting victims that dared challenge him at a game of pool. He was also an avid outdoorsman enjoying hunting, and his real passion for fishing. He would fish every day that he could. Either with his children or grandchildren, and in many cases with his long-time friend Bill Bowling; and when they fished together it was like watching Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon in Grumpy Old Men.

 Dean was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and great-great-grandfather that enjoyed all the time he had with family. He was always good for teasing and the famous “Teehee” when grandchildren would get in trouble. He was also very well versed in the art of “nicknames”. 

Survivors are his children Tamira Thompson, Terry Estes, Deanna Pogue, Delores Zeiher, Wayne Young; daughter-in-law Lynda Houchin; grandchildren Kelly, Terry, Maggie, Donny, Rachel, Logan, LaDonna, Jerry Dean and his wife Sandy, Angela, Jeff and his wife Christy, Kayla and her husband Justin; numerous great grandchildren; great-great-grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, Dean was preceded in death by his wife Nora, children Shirley Balentine and son-in-law Jerry, grandchildren LaDeana White, Richard Strong, Ronnie Balentine, and one great-grandson Rj VanZant. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, December 20, 2024, at the Chapman-Black Funeral Home. A burial will follow in the Woodland Cemetery in Cleveland, Oklahoma. Chapman-Black Funeral Home will handle the arrangements. Friends and family may visit Dean’s online guest book and memorial page at www.chapman-black. com. 

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