JR., ALBERT ESTES
Albert W. Estes, Jr.
Colonel Albert W.
Estes, Jr. (USAF, ret.) passed away suddenly on Friday, March 12, 2010 at the age of 70, at his home in Landenberg, PA. He was born March 23, 1939, in El Dorado, AR.
Colonel Estes graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the University of AR and was commissioned in the United States Air Force in 1963. He was a command pilot with more than 7,000 hours flying in the T-37, T-38, C-124, C-141, T-33, F-4, O-2, C-9, T-39, and the C-5. He served as a forward air controller during the Vietnam conflict and flew 376 combat missions totaling 918 hours. He was the recipient of numerous military awards and decorations including the Legion of Merit and the Distinguished Flying Cross. In addition to his flying duties, he served in many command and staff positions in the Military Airlift Command. From 1975 to 1977 he served as an exchange officer with the Royal Air Force in the UK. After his return from the UK, he commanded 53rd Military Airlift Squadron at Norton, AFB. He attended Air War College at Maxwell AFB, and also earned an M.A. in International Relations from Webster University in St. Louis, MO. Later in his career, he served as Chief of the Airlift Forces Division, Directorate of Plans at the Pentagon where he was instrumental in the development of the C-17. His last flying assignment was as the Wing Commander of the 436th Military Airlift Wing at Dover AFB, DE. After thirty years of service, Colonel Estes retired from the Air Force in 1993. He went on to work for Goodwill Industries of Southern California and the San Bernardino County School System. In his retirement, he worked tirelessly on the golf course to lower his already impressive handicap.
Colonel Estes was predeceased by his parents, Albert W. Estes, Sr. and Gertrude Walker Estes, and his sister, Marion Azelle Freeman. He is survived by his wife of forty-nine years, Keitha Andrews Estes. He is also survived by his sons Alan W. Estes and wife, Monica of Avondale, PA, and Christopher A. Estes, of Owings, MD, five grandchildren: Angela, Andrew, and Ryan Estes of Avondale, PA, and Erin and Spencer Estes of Owings, MD, and his brother Alan Dale Estes of Flippin, AR.
A service and burial will be held at Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday, June 9, 2010 at 1 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations in Colonel Estes' memory be made to The Helen F. Graham Cancer Center, 4701 Ogletown-Stanton Rd., Newark, DE 19713.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins Funeral Home, Inc., Oxford, PA.
Online condolences may be made at
www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.
[published 03/17/2010]
JR., ALBERT ESTES
Albert W. Estes, Jr.
Colonel Albert W.
Estes, Jr. (USAF, ret.) passed away suddenly on Friday, March 12, 2010 at the age of 70, at his home in Landenberg, PA. He was born March 23, 1939, in El Dorado, AR.
Colonel Estes graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the University of AR and was commissioned in the United States Air Force in 1963. He was a command pilot with more than 7,000 hours flying in the T-37, T-38, C-124, C-141, T-33, F-4, O-2, C-9, T-39, and the C-5. He served as a forward air controller during the Vietnam conflict and flew 376 combat missions totaling 918 hours. He was the recipient of numerous military awards and decorations including the Legion of Merit and the Distinguished Flying Cross. In addition to his flying duties, he served in many command and staff positions in the Military Airlift Command. From 1975 to 1977 he served as an exchange officer with the Royal Air Force in the UK. After his return from the UK, he commanded 53rd Military Airlift Squadron at Norton, AFB. He attended Air War College at Maxwell AFB, and also earned an M.A. in International Relations from Webster University in St. Louis, MO. Later in his career, he served as Chief of the Airlift Forces Division, Directorate of Plans at the Pentagon where he was instrumental in the development of the C-17. His last flying assignment was as the Wing Commander of the 436th Military Airlift Wing at Dover AFB, DE. After thirty years of service, Colonel Estes retired from the Air Force in 1993. He went on to work for Goodwill Industries of Southern California and the San Bernardino County School System. In his retirement, he worked tirelessly on the golf course to lower his already impressive handicap.
Colonel Estes was predeceased by his parents, Albert W. Estes, Sr. and Gertrude Walker Estes, and his sister, Marion Azelle Freeman. He is survived by his wife of forty-nine years, Keitha Andrews Estes. He is also survived by his sons Alan W. Estes and wife, Monica of Avondale, PA, and Christopher A. Estes, of Owings, MD, five grandchildren: Angela, Andrew, and Ryan Estes of Avondale, PA, and Erin and Spencer Estes of Owings, MD, and his brother Alan Dale Estes of Flippin, AR.
A service and burial will be held at Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday, June 9, 2010 at 1 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations in Colonel Estes' memory be made to The Helen F. Graham Cancer Center, 4701 Ogletown-Stanton Rd., Newark, DE 19713.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins Funeral Home, Inc., Oxford, PA.
Online condolences may be made at
www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.
[published 03/17/2010]
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