Ray Estes

Lieutenant Colonel Ray Estes retired from the United States Army after 23 years of service where he was a helicopter pilot and lastly, stationed at NATO in Brussels, Belgium - jokingly his “least favorite” assignment.

He graduated from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas on a football and ROTC scholarship in 1972.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 50 years, Carol Estes of Louisville, KY, who he was deeply devoted to and cherished always (ever since he spotted her walking across their college campus); his son Jonathan Estes of Prospect, KY, grandchildren Jude, Brennan, and Cosette; his son Jeffrey and wife, Alexia Estes of McKinney, TX, grandchildren Jack and Brooklyn; brother James Estes of Birmingham, Alabama; sister Marie Bean of Euless, TX; and previously deceased brother John Estes of Columbia, South Carolina; along with Carol Estes’ brothers and sisters; Milly Gumper of Springfield, MO; Chris and Pam Gumper of St. Louis, MO; Stephen and Bronya Gumper of Berger, MO; Carey and Joyce Peters of Kansas City, MO; and many nieces and nephews.

Ray Estes’ heart was always in the outdoors, he loved bird watching and was happiest on a lake, in a boat and with a fishing rod in his hands. He loved Texas A&M University, especially football - Gig ‘Em!

In lieu of flowers, donations in loving memory may be given to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org) or Texas A&M University (www.txamfoundation.com)