Obituaries

Gerald David Estes

 

 

Gerald David Estes, 71, of Center, Texas, joined his Heavenly Father on Tuesday, July 3, 2018, in Center, Texas.
 
Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, July 5, 2018, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center. A funeral service honoring David will be held at 3:00 p.m., Friday, July 6, 2018, at New Life Church in Center with Bro. Steve Noble, Bro. Mike Miller, Sister Melba Rodgers, and Bro. Terry Goodnight officiating. Interment will follow at Strong Cemetery in Huxley.
 
Gerald David Estes was born October 28, 1946, in Lafayette, Louisiana, to Frazar Estes and Ruth Burkett Estes. David graduated from Gladewater High School in Gladewater, Texas, and continued his education at Kilgore College, eventually graduating from Lamar University with a degree in business. David began his career as a Texas Department of Public Safety Highway Patrolman in Orange County, Texas. While serving his state, David was drafted into the United Stated Armed Services and was deployed as a medic in the military. David was honorably discharged and returned to his job as a State Highway Patrolman.
 
After moving to Shelby County, David owned and operated the popular Shady Oaks Grocery and Feed for nearly twenty years. Each weekday Shady Oaks was full of hungry patrons ordering the delicious, home-cooked lunches and famous cheeseburgers. David filled the store with pictures proudly showing off his family and friends. Dave, as he was affectionately known, always greeted customers and employees with a smile and lovingly described the stories the pictures told.
 
Dave and his beloved wife Gina operated poultry farms in Shelby County for twenty years. After retiring, Dave and Gina planned their lives around their children and grandchildren and traveled throughout the country on hunting and fishing trips and attending golf tournaments, horse shows, baseball games, and family vacations. Amongst Dave’s most prized trips are those hunting in Africa with his sons.
 
Shelby County residents often would see David and Gina enjoying date nights. David began each morning reading his Bible with a cup of coffee. Dave loved working on his farm and watching his deer.
 
Dave did not meet a stranger. His warm smile and gentle hug made those who met him immediately feel loved. Within five minutes of speaking to Dave, his dedication to Christ became apparent. Dave devoted his life to the Lord, leading a Christian life by example. He was a hard working and humble servant to his Lord. Dave regularly attended Church and enjoyed bible studies each week.
 
Knowing Dave, there is no doubt in anyone’s heart that his most wonderful moment was hearing those words from his Lord on Tuesday morning, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”
 
Survivors include the following:
Wife: Gina Estes, Center, Texas
 
Children:
Mike Estes and wife Tanya of Shelbyville, Texas
Chris Estes and wife Melissa of Kingwood, Texas
Brent Estes of Montgomery, Texas
Heather Rollins and husband John of Flower Mound, Texas
 
Bonus Son, J. Chris Hubert of Tyler, Texas
 
Grandchildren:
Jeff Estes and wife Mandy of Shelbyville, Texas 
Brad Estes and wife Whitnee of Shelbyville, Texas 
Brandon Estes of Kingwood, Texas
Matthew Estes of Kingwood, Texas
Cullen Estes of Montgomery, Texas 
Isabella Rollins of Dunedin, Florida 
Georgia Rollins of Flower Mound, Texas 
Jennifer Estes of Montgomery, Texas
 
Great Grandchildren:
Lyla Estes of Shelbyville, Texas
Lynlee Estes of Shelbyville, Texas
Sweet Baby Girl Estes, coming in December
 
Brothers:
Frazar(Bubba) Estes and wife Eleanor of Lufkin, Texas John Estes of Lufkin, Texas
 
Brother-in-law:
Rex Thompson and wife Carol of Tyler, Texas
 
Mother-in-law:
Gloria Jean Thompson of Gilmer, Texas
 
Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins
 
Preceded in death by
Parents: Frazar Estes and Ruth Burkett Estes
 
David Koonce, Brad Estes, Dewayne Bomar, Jeff Estes, Brandon Estes, Cullen Estes, Matthew Estes and Agustin Camacho will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Isidro Escanuelas, Dewayne Lout, Larry Horn, Todd Baldwin, and Jennifer Estes.
 
Online condolences and tributes can be sent at www.watsonandsonsfuneralhome.com
      
 
 

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