Joel Cutter Estes

Joel Cutter Estes, age 82, passed away, surrounded by family, on Wednesday, October 7th. Born July 9, 1933 in Alexandria, Louisiana, he was primarily raised in Chester, CT. Following 4 years of army R.O.T.C. at Yale University, Joel graduated in 1955 a second lieutenant and entered active duty at Fort Sill, OK. He was promoted to 1st lieutenant before his completion of duty in 1957. In 1963 Joel graduated from Yale Law School. He and his former wife, Thayer Hobson Esquirol moved to San Diego, CA that same year and Joel began a nearly 40 year law career as a law clerk with Judge James M. Carter. In 1963-71 Joel was a Partner/Associate with Higgs, Fletcher & Mack; 1971-77 Partner of Jones, Tellam, Irving & Estes; 1978-80 Partner of Tellam, Estes, Duckor & Spradling; 1980-82 Sole Practicioner; 1982-98 Principal, Estes & Hoyt; Of Counsel, Estes, Hoyt & Hansen until retiring in 1998. Joel was a member of the American Arbitration Association, the panel of the National Association of Securtiies Dealers, Inc., the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange and the Association for Conflict Resolution. He served on the San Diego Superior Court Arbitration Panel and was the President, Trustee and Treasurer of the Reuben H. Fleet Space Theater (approx.1973), Director and Vice-President of the San Diego County Bar Association(1985-87) and past Director of the San Diego Opera. Survivors include Life Partner, Joanne Holderman, former wife Thayer J. Esquirol, Cary E. (daughter) and Michael A. Murphy (La Mesa, CA), Eleanor J. Estes (daughter, Los Angeles, CA), Isabelle E. (daughter) and Peter A. Nelson (Santa Cruz, CA), Philip S. (son) and Sarah M. Estes (La Mesa, CA) and six grandchildren: Joel M. Murphy, Heather J. Murphy, Samuel E. Nelson, Ursula T. Nelson, Henry S. Estes and Eleanor K. Estes. Joel was preceded in death by sister Cecilia Slack Estes and brother Richard Stockton Estes. As the wish for no service by Joel is respected, his remains will be interred at Miramar National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please send any donations in Joel’s name to the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center: P.O. Box 33303, San Diego, CA 92163. Attn: Matt Kirl, Development Department