Franklin Leroy Estes Jr., 91, adored husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully in his home in Columbus on Jan. 31, 2017.
He was born in Nashville, Tennessee, on June 2, 1925, to Franklin L. Estes Sr. and Lula Horton Estes.
A member of the “Greatest Generation,” Frank joined the U.S. Army in June, 1943, was assigned to the 806th Aviation Engineering Battalion and served in Saipan and Okinawa until the end of World War II. He was honored for his service when he participated in the Honor Flight program in 2007.
Frank met and married Betty Jo Arnold in Nashville in 1946. They happily celebrated their 70th anniversary Dec. 18, 2016.
Frank attended Vanderbilt University, was a member of Kappa Alpha Fraternity and graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor of Engineering degree.
He and Betty had two daughters, Debbie and Susan.
He went to work for DuPont in Nashville in 1956 and the family moved to Circleville in 1964.
Frank was active in the Circleville Presbyterian Church, serving as a deacon, an elder and as chairman of the Pastor Nominating Committee. He also served his community as the Chairman of the 1978 United Way Community Fund.
He was an avid golfer and skier, having taken up both sports at the age of 40. He played in the men’s golf league at Pickaway Country Club for over 40 years and always looked forward to his annual “boys” golf trip to Myrtle Beach.
After 30 years, Frank retired from DuPont and became a sub-contractor for the company, then spent the next 11 years passionately teaching DuPont’s premier safety practices to other companies around the world.
Frank is preceded in death by his wife, Betty, by only 11 days; his parents; and his brother, Taylor (Ruby) Morton.
Survivors include his loving daughters, Debbie (Greg) Dunkle and Susan (Steve) Eskin; his adored grandson, Jason (Melissa Rager) Dunkle; and his adored niece, June Morton.
A memorial service honoring Frank and Betty will be held at 2 p.m. Feb. 18, 2017, at Circleville Presbyterian Church, 134 E. Mound St., Circleville.
Memorial contributions can be made in Frank’s name to the Circleville Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 147, Circleville, OH 43113-0147 or at www.circlevillepresbyterianchurch.com.
Online condolences can be made to www.wellmanfuneralhomes.com.
This article originally appeared on The Pickaway News Journal
