Norman Kenneth Estep

Norman Kenneth Estep, 89, of Centerton, Arkansas and long-time St. Louis area resident, passed away Thursday, September 1, 2022. Norman was comforted by his wife, family and church members at the Circle of Life Hospice in Bentonville, Arkansas at the time of his passing. He was born July 31, 1933 near Bunker, Missouri to the late Herbert and Retha Inez Mason Estep. Norman served in the Air Force during the Korean Conflict prior to completing his Bachelor of Science in Education. He went on to obtain a Master of Science in Education while teaching Middle and Junior High social studies and English. Norman retired from the Hazelwood School District after 35 years of teaching. He was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ; teaching Bible classes and serving as an Elder at Dunn Road Chapel Church of Christ and Florissant Church of Christ for many years. He later became a member and attended the Bentonville Church of Christ. As a teenager, Norman rode a bus out west to work at a YMCA camp in Colorado. During this time, he developed a lifelong love for both horses and the Rocky Mountains. Over the years, Norman and Joan made many trips out west together. Known to many as an expert gardener, Norman grew numerous varieties of roses and daylilies, sharing these flowers with friends and family. In his late 80’s, Norman and Joan moved to Northwest Arkansas to be closer to his great-grandchildren, who lovingly referred to him as “GGpa”. Survivors include his loving wife of 68 years, Joan Estep; their daughter, Sharon Ward and her husband, Michael, of Centerton, Arkansas; a sister, Barbara Martin and husband, Charles, of Columbia, Missouri; a brother, Ray Estep and wife, Mindy, of Birmingham, Alabama; 2 grandchildren, Brian Ward and wife, Jennifer, of Fort Worth, Texas and Ashley Mitchen and husband, Caleb, of Bentonville, Arkansas; 4 great-grandchildren, Luke Mitchen, Gwendolyn Ward, Rachel Mitchen and Violet Ward; a brother-in-law, James Dunham and wife, Kay, of Nixa, Missouri; numerous extended family and dear friends. Visitation will be Tuesday, September 6, 2022 from 4:00-6:30pm at Callison-Lough Funeral Home in Bentonville, Arkansas. A Graveside service, with Full Military Honors will begin at 10:30am, Wednesday, September 7, 2022 in Richwood Cemetery near Nixa, Missouri. Memorials are suggested to organizations Norman supported such as Christian Family Services, 7955 Big Bend Blvd, Webster Groves, Missouri 63119, www.STLcfs.org; and Camp Ne-O-Tez, 3761 Three Oaks Dr, Bridgeton, Missouri 63044, www.NeoTez.org. Arrangements are under the care of Callison-Lough Funeral Home in Bentonville.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.CallisonLoughFH.com for the Estep family.