Joe Don Estes

Joe Don Estes, age 85, of Elgin, died November 12, 2010 at his home.

A memorial service will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday at Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center.

Those who wish may make contributions in his memory to the Elgin Library, to be used for audio books, in care of Daniels~Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center, 1502 7th Street, La Grande.

Joe was born on May 27, 1925, the son of Donald B. and Frances K. (Kistner) Estes in Little Rock, Arkansas. The family later moved to Coquille where he graduated from high school. He served with the United States Army Air Corp from November 1943 until April 1946. After his honorable discharge he attended Eastern Oregon University where he got his degree in Education. He was married to Florence "Betty" Emery in March of 1945 in Washington DC and first taught at Central School before moving to the La Grande Junior High School where he taught Science and Math until 1968. In the fall of 1968 he became the Principal of Stella Mayfield Elementary School until his retirement in 1980. He was a member of the Elgin Retired Teachers and was a lifetime member of the Coquille Masonic Lodge and was also a member of the La Grande Masonic Lodge. He was an avid golfer and was a member of the La Grande Country Club until recently. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and will be remembered as a kind and helpful gentleman. He enjoyed returning to Coquille for all of his class reunions.

Survivors include his son, Don Estes of Elgin; grandsons, Kevin Estes of Jacksonville, Florida and Brandon Estes of Modesto, California; and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife.

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