Donald Estes

Donald Estes passed away October 3, 2010 at age 89 after a tough battle with Alzheimer’s. Mr. Estes was born in and lived most of his life in Hamilton, but called Ramona, CA his home for the last two years where he lived with his son, Dave, and daughter, Julia. Donald was a Technician 5th Grade in Company B of the 802nd Engineer Aviation Battalion in the U.S. Army during World War II, where he earned the Meritorious Unit Award, Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon with one bronze star, American Theater Ribbon, WWII Victory Medal, and Good Conduct Medal. He was a tool and die maker for IBM until he retired in 1977.

He is survived by his ex-wife, Mae McCowan Estes; sister, Pauline McCollum of Hamilton; sons Jerry Estes of Jacksonville, FL and Dave Estes of Ramona, CA; grandsons, Michael, James, Peter and Jeffrey Estes; and granddaughters Lisa and Jennifer Estes. He was preceded in death by his wife, Martha Thompson Estes; parents Wakeman and Emma Miller Estes; brothers Clayton and Wakeman Jr.; and sisters, Delia Reece, Stella Harboum, and Ruby Estes.

A graveside funeral service will be held at Greenwood Cemetery on Friday, October 8, 2010 at 2:00 PM. Visitation will be held at the Brown-Dawson Funeral Home, 1350 Millville Avenue, on Thursday from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.