Tommy Estes

Tommy Jene Estes, Sr.

Tommy Jene Estes, Sr. was born in Mt. Calm, Texas on January 16, 1928. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Zudie Estes; three brothers, A.T., Joe, Jr., and Watford; and one sister, Eloise McBride.

He and his family moved to Hillsboro, Texas in 1929. Tommy attended school in Hillsboro, Hubbard, Mart, Waco, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He worked selling popcorn and peanuts in downtown Hubbard, at a pharmacy working the soda fountain in Waco and Robinson Ice Cream in Waco, and as a lineman for Western Union Telegraph in West, Texas. In 1946 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving in the Pacific and China. Tommy was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre, American Theatre, Victory Medal World War II, and Good Conduct Medals.

After discharge from the Navy, he came back home to Waco in 1949 and started to work for Owens-Illinois Glass Container Plant. He retired in 1983 as a Plant Engineer. On July 10, 1987, he went back to work for O-I, working as a consultant in China, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, and various cities in the U.S. Tommy piloted for a time his own Cessna plane and had been an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting deer, duck, and turkey, passing on his love for hunting to his son and grandson. He also enjoyed fishing at Lake Waco where he owned a houseboat for 20 years.

He is survived by his wife, Billie Estes; son, Tommy Estes, Jr.; daughter-in-law, Berkley; and grandchildren, Ridge and Tenley Estes.