John Paul Estep

JOHN PAUL ESTEP, 80, of Elkview passed away on July 19th surrounded by family and friends at Hubbard House at Thomas Memorial Hospital. John was born in Charleston on September 13, 1942, to Lucille and Gay Estep. He served proudly in the Marine Corps from 1960-1964, reaching the rank of Corporal, and his family remembers him by his nickname, Jarhead. He was a member of the American Legion Post 61 in Clendenin and a 25-year volunteer for Adopt-A-Highway. John retired in 2004 from Monsanto Chemical Company (Flexys) of Nitro after 34 years. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary.
John's favorite activities were camping, dancing and woodworking. Every summer found him at Baker's Run in Sutton by the lake or around the campfire. Country western dancing took him and Mary around the state as they performed for the public at parks, nursing homes and other venues. Woodworking kept him occupied in his garage through the winter months. Every family member has either a trash can or a clock from his workshop and he enjoyed cutting out patterns for friends to paint.
He was so proud of building his home in 1969 and it has been the site of many family cookouts. He spent most evenings sitting on the patio he built and watching the birds, squirrels and deer eat what he left for them that day.
He is also survived by his son and daughter-in-law John Michael and Beverly Estep; daughter and son-in-law Paula and Joe Kerner; grandchildren and spouses, Ian Estep, Miranda Estep, Patrick and Kirsten Counts, and Sarah Estep; great-grandchildren, Colt and Elsa Counts; brother and sister-in-law Jack and Norma Estep and brother Jim Estep; 9 nieces and 8 nephews.
Special thanks to his son, daughter, and granddaughter for their care of him in the last year. Special thanks to brother-in-law Kenneth Atkinson and friends Tammy Burgess, and Connie and Harry Boyd for their support over the past many months. John will be missed by those that had the privilege of being his friend. He lived up to the Marine motto Semper Fi (Always Faithful). May he rest in peace. No services are planned at this time.