R.L. Estes

A funeral mass for R.L. Estes, 72, of Tyler, will be held on Friday, July 3, 2009 at 10:00 AM at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception with Father Dan Daugherty officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery in Tyler, Texas under direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Mr. Estes passed away, Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at his residence in Tyler. He was born September 13, 1936 in Pemiscot County, Missouri to Lenny Raymond and Willie Jane McCullough Estes. Mr. Estes was raised in Missouri and joined the Navy in 1955 and had a very active and rewarding career. He was awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with 1 Bronze Star (Quemoy-Matsu and Korea), the Navy Good Conduct Medal with 4 Bronze Stars, the Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with 1 Silver Star and 1 Bronze Star, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal-Foreign with 1960 device, the Rep. Vietnam MUC Gallantry Cross-Foreign and the Rep. Vietnam MUC Civil Actions Medal –Foreign. He retired in 1974 and then moved to Tyler. He worked for Brookshire’s Distribution Center for 18 years retiring in 1995. He was a member of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Church. R.L. enjoyed fishing, traveling and especially spending time with family. Mr. Estes was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister Wanda Jean Simms. R.L. is survived by his loving family including his wife of 42 years, Diane W. Estes; sons, Bill Estes and wife Amy of Bullard, and Burt Estes of Virginia; grandchildren, Amanda and Mason Estes of Bullard; and brother Ralph Estes and wife Rosemary of Georgetown. Pallbearers will be John Johnson, Gene Johnson, Michael Johnson, Jimmy Johnson, Mike Johnson and Pat Johnson. Visitation is scheduled from 5:00 -7:00 P.M. Thursday, July 2 at Stewart Family Funeral Home 7525 Old Jacksonville Hwy, Tyler, Texas 75703. Memorials in honor of R.L. Estes may be made to St. Vincent DePaul, 423 S. Broadway Ave., Tyler, Texas 75702-8102, or Hospice of East Texas Foundation, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, Texas 75701. For more information or to express condolences, visit www.stewartfamilyfuneral.com.

R.L. Estes

September 13, 1936 - June 30, 2009