Leonard "Bud" Estes, 70, of Deweyville, Texas passed away Wednesday, December 2, 2009, at his home.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 5, 2009, at First Baptist Church of Deweyville with Reverend Damon Bickham officiating. Burial will follow at Deweyville Cemetery under the direction of Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.
Visitation will be from 5:00-9:00 p.m. Friday at the church.
Bud was born on February 21, 1939, in Furnace, Kentucky. He was the son of Elbie Estes and Nola Johnson Estes. Bud was a member of First Baptist Church of Deweyville. He retired from TXDOT after 30 years of service and was a pastor of various southern Baptist churches for 40 years. Bud also served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
Bud was a loving husband, wonderful father and playful Paw-paw. He loved to sing his own songs to the grandkids, while tapping his feet and clapping his hands. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed spending time at the camp and fishing with his family and grandkids.
Bud loved the Lord and strove to honor him in all he did. He is loved by so many and will be missed until we are all called home to the Lord.
He was preceded in death by his father, Elbie Estes; and brother, Jack Estes.
Bud is survived by his wife, Susie Estes; mother, Nola Harter of Somerville, Ohio; son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Tami Estes of Deweyville; daughter and son-in-law, Tanya and Tim Austin of Plano; son and daughter-in-law, Shane and Cheryl Estes of Mauriceville; daughter, DeEtta Burch of Deweyville; son and daughter-in-law, Joseph and JoAnn Estes of Deweyville; and son, Leonard E. Estes of Kentucky.
He is also survived by his ten grandchildren; brother, Richard Joe Smith of Somerville, Ohio; sister, Gay Williams of Winnsboro; Uncle Charles Johnson of Somerville, Ohio; one step-sister and four step-brothers all from Kentucky.
Serving as Pallbearers will be Chris Burch, Dalton Estes, Hunter Estes, Brad Austin, Nathan Austin, Ĺil Joseph Estes, Jonathan Bickham and Keith Nelms. Honorary Pallbearers will be Whintony Estes, Nikki Burch, Sami Burch and Grace Estes.
Bud never believed in saying goodbye to loved ones, instead he always said "I'll see you in the morning."