John M. Estes, Jr.

John Melvin Estes, Jr., 82, died Thursday, August 12, 2010 at 8:00 PM at Iowa Methodist Hospital, Des Moines.

John and his late sister Betty Jo Estes Williams were born in Joplin, Missouri to John M. Estes, Sr. and his wife Mildred Young Estes. John’s father established the Estes and Son Funeral Home in Des Moines, Iowa in 1939.

He was educated in the public schools of Des Moines, University of Iowa, Kansas City, Missouri College of Mortuary Science and Chicago, Illinois School of Restorative Art.

As a youth John was a Boy Scout, attended Boy Scout camp regularly, a member of the Crocker YMCA, attended Jewish Community Center, an athlete in multiple sports, life guard at Good Park and participated in civic activities with his father and friends.

As an adult he continued to participate in civic affairs: President of the Des Moines Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, member of the Des Moines Chamber of Commerce, Young Republicans, board member of the United Way of Greater Des Moines, President of the Board of the Polk County Mental Health, now Eyerly Ball Mental Health Center, Mayoral appointment to the Des Moines Housing Board, a founding coach for the Des Moines Little League Football, appointed to several task forces for the City of Des Moines and Des Moines Public School system. The funeral home sponsored tennis tournaments and the Tiny Tots Baseball Team. He was a lifetime member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. In addition, he has been the recipient of awards and accolades for his good deeds and professionalism.

John was employed in the Secretary of State’s office with the late Melvin Synhorst. He grew up in the funeral home business with his father and spent full time serving citizens at Estes and Son Funeral Home until his retirement in 1997.

John was known to many for his extra-ordinary ability in sports at West High School (now North High) where he is listed in the Hall of Fame. He was a star on the football team at the University of Iowa until a basketball game at Good Park caused a broken neck that resulted in his being a paraplegic. The John Estes Sports Complex remains in his honor at Good Park.

John married Elaine Graham Estes, the retired Director of the Public Libraries of Des Moines. He is survived by his wife and her mother Mrs. Zelma Graham of Springfield, Missouri. His cousins are Rayma, Richard and Fred Estes of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Margie Estes Wright of Baxter Springs, Kansas; Oliver Estes of Colorado; Terry Jackson of Wisconsin and Dennis Jackson of Indiana.

John has been cremated and a friends hour, including Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity last rites (4:00 PM ), will be held in the Fellowship Hall of Corinthian Baptist Church on 9th and School Street Sunday, August 15, 2010.

Memorials may be sent to Des Moines Public Library, 1000 Grand Avenue, or the Des Moines Art Center, 4900 Grand Avenue, Des Moines.

www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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