Michael Anthony Estock

Michael came into this world on 26 Feb 1994 on an island in the frigid waters of the North Atlantic. Born at Keflavik Naval Air Station, Iceland, Michael grew up to be as unique, beautiful, interesting, and inspiring as the country of his birth. The son of a military father and prior-service mother, Michael experienced everything that came with a family that moved every 3 years or so. He really knew no home for more than just a few years, which led to him never knowing a stranger, always seeking out new friends, and taking the bull by the horns in whatever situation he was in. Michael’s early years were joyfully spent moving from Iceland (after 2 years) to New Mexico for 3 years, to Nevada for 3 years, to Alabama for 7 years, to Mississippi for 3 years, then to Ohio for 3 years, where he graduated from Beavercreek High School and his father retired from the military. Upon retirement, the family decided to move to Livingston Tennessee, where Michael, as a brand new graduate, arrived 3 months ahead of the rest of the family. Within 2 days Michael had a job, and just a few days after that, had found his calling for service as a volunteer with the Taylors Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department and then East Clay Volunteer Fire Department. Michael’s interest in firefighting, the camaraderie, the brotherhood, and the danger that comes with firefighting was so compelling, he enrolled in Vol State Junior College and over the next 2 years received a degree in Fire Science while also becoming an Emergency Medical Technician. Michael’s love for firefighting was unshakeable, due in large part to the friendships he made in Ronnie Hummel, KL Winningham, and many others who took him under their wings and showed him the ropes. All had a drive for self-sacrifice, excellence, and service beyond self, placing themselves in harm’s way to come to the aid of those in need.

After earning his degree, Michael applied for numerous large-city firefighter positions. Dayton Ohio, Brentwood Tennessee, Cookeville, Tennessee all were on his list. Waiting for the call for a job opportunity, Michael knew he needed to spread his wings, so he applied for a position with the Chattanooga Police Department, with the idea he might make a lateral movement into the Fire Department if police work wasn’t his thing. Michael was soon hired, and so began his journey as a police officer in 2018. He quickly learned about brotherhood, public service, human relations, and camaraderie at a level only police officers know. He learned from, worked with, and told us many stories of his adventures with self-less mentors and patriots such as Officers Kelly Cronon, Dustin Finley, Teddy Malinga, Dillon Johnston, James Plumley, Sheridan Lupo, Edward Buckman, and Jeff Buckner. He loved being an officer, having the ability to make decisions that impacted lives, being relied upon to go where only officers could go, to engage in situations that could easily end his life. Alone, without question, Michael would step into danger to protect others. Michael loved his teammates; his teammates loved him. Michael loved God.

And it was because Michael loved God, he made the decision to leave the police department and take a job as head of security for the Red Bank Baptist Church and school. You see, Michael has had a life-long love for the Lord. Saved at an early age, he wanted to emulate Jesus. He saw Jesus as a savior, healer, teacher, and a servant. And although Michael served others, he became a teacher as he became older. His life not only reflected the Holy Spirit, but it was also molded by the Holy Spirit. Talk with him long enough and you would know there was something different about him. Something you just couldn’t put your finger on. But you knew he was different. Talk with him even longer and you would eventually begin discussing the Bible, or church, or Jesus. Michael was just that kind of “social influencer.”

While working as a police officer, Michael met Raechel, and they quickly fell in love. Raechel immediately knew there was something different about him. And Michael knew there was something special about Raechel. His love for her made him realize he needed to live his best life, and to do that, he had to wholly commit to the Lord, surrendering all to Him and presenting the gospel to the one he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. Over time, together, they discussed God, salvation, the scriptures, and the importance of a relationship with Jesus Christ. Raechel accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior, they were married in Nov 2021, and together were baptized at Red Bank Baptist Church on March 19, 2023. And together they grew spiritually. And it was this spiritual growth, and love for his wife, that Michael made the extremely hard decision to leave the police department when offered a job as head of security for his church. Everyone around Michael could see what Michael was feeling. He was being called into the ministry, and God opened that door when he and Raechel needed it most. He thrived in his new job. He loved the stability, he loved the children, he loved the responsibility, he loved his coworkers. Most importantly, he loved the opportunity for spiritual growth through Bible studies at his church, Christ Before Coffee podcasts, and D and D game nights with his wife and church family. He loved playing guitar, corny dad-jokes, woodburning, and serenading Raechel with romantic ballads. He hated cutting grass, weedeating, chopping up trees that fall in his yard, and cleaning his room (until he left home and became his own homeowner).

Michael left this earthly home to be with God on Nov 18th, 2024. But he left his most important legacy, a son, Morgan, who will always have Michael within him. Morgan’s smile will remind us of Michael, his boundless energy will remind us of Michael, his gregarious attitude will remind us of Michael. We will see Michael on earth in Morgan, as we wait to see Michael in Heaven.

Michael loved God, and he loved humanity the way God loved the world. And as God gave his Son so humanity could be saved, Michael was willing to sacrifice himself for the safety and well-being of others. He was deeply concerned, as Christ was, for the eternal destiny of those around him. If Michael had an opportunity to give one final message to all of us, it would be to say, “I love you, do you know the Lord?”

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, George and Frances Estock and uncle, Victor Estock.

Survivors include his wife, Raechel Estock; son, Morgan Estock; parents, Steven and Karmyn Estock, brother, Wade Estock; grandparents, Ronald and Rebecca Metts; aunt, Debra Shoemaker; and uncle, Mike Estock.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made out to the Go Fund Me account set in Michael’s name, link below.

A visitation for Michael will be held Monday, November 25, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Red Bank Baptist Church, 4000 Dayton Blvd, Chattanooga, TN 37415, followed by a funeral service at 2:00 PM.

Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory, and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343.

Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com