David Lawrence Estes, 89, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away on March 16, 2010, from heart failure.
Born on June 23, 1920 in Muskegon, Michigan to Reverend John R. and Florence Allen Estes, David graduated from William Jewell College in 1942 with a degree in chemistry. Lt. (jg) Estes served during World War II as a pilot aboard the U.S. Navy carrier U.S.S. Tulagi. After the war, he began working for Libby, McNeill & Libby in Minnesota, and later in Ocala, Florida as the citrus division’s quality control supervisor. In 1956, he married Ann Patrinostro of Plant City. After thirty years with Libby’s, he retired to Lakeland in 1978 and began working at Allsun Juices in Highland City as quality control director. After his second retirement he continued to work as a consultant in the citrus industry.
David enjoyed working in the yard, fixing, building, and creating; as well as volunteering at Sun ‘n’ Fun. He was a member of the Institute of Food Technologists and the local chapter of AARP. At the age of 80, he began his most cherished role as “best grandpa in the world”.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a cousin, Esther Underhill. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Ann Patrinostro Estes of Lakeland; a son, John Anthony Estes of Ocala, FL; a daughter, Lisa (Bill) Justice of Lakeland; two grandchildren, Alyssa Justice and Will Justice of Lakeland; two cousins, Neal Underhill of Delavan, WI and Dwight Underhill of Livonia, MI; as well as a large extended family.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM, Saturday, March 20, 2010 at Oak Hill Burial Park and Cemetery, 4620 US Highway 98 South, Lakeland, with Pastor Jim Brady officiating. Full military honors will be provided by the U.S. Navy and the Dade City Military Honor Guard. The family will receive friends at the cemetery from 10:00 AM until the service.
Veterans Funeral Care
1-800-467-7850
Our thoughts and prayers are with Aunt Nana, Lisa and Tony in this difficult time. Uncle Dave will be greatly missed.
Paul, Iana, Zoe, Aislinn, and Fischer
To Ann,Lisa and Tony and the rest of the Estes family the passing of your husband and father is in my prayers and he will always be remembered as a great insipiration in my life growing up in my childhood.
God Bless he was a good man I wish time would allow me to come down I hope I can follow him as roll as a father and grandfather from the Downes family of Dunnellon Florida Tony,Sherry,Connie and Shawn..