Paul R. Estes

Paul Ronald Estes, 78, of Glendale Heights, IL (formerly of Cadiz, KY for 30+ years), passed away on July 24, 2024 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s and its sequelae. Paul was born in December 1945 to Reuben Eddie Estes and Beatrice Grace Estes Pelton in Crofton, KY and raised in Louisville, KY. In 1963, he eagerly enlisted into the U.S. Army, where he served our country for 20 years. In that time, he served in the 101st Airborne division, including 2 tours in Vietnam and 2 tours in Germany. While stationed in Germany, he met his beautiful bride, Luella Cora Estes in 1973, whom he pursued from the very beginning. They married in Germany in December 1976 and later settled down in Cadiz, KY, outside of Fort Campbell where he continued to serve. He retired from the Army in 1983 after 20 years. He took advantage of the GI Bill and went to university and graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Austin Peay State University in 1989. With that degree, he worked in a substance abuse outpatient facility Volta House for several years, counseling others trying to turn their lives around from drugs and alcohol abuse, as he had recently gotten sober himself. Paul was a force of nature, determined to provide for his family and give them the life he felt they deserved. His family meant more to him than anything else in the world, something not always shown by words, but in his actions. Paul was an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous, where he loved his “eatin meetins,” his coffee, and sponsoring others on their paths to sobriety. He had been sober for 45 years. Paul also liked to fish and hunt and kept active by power-walking 5 miles a day in his most active years. He was a lover of music, especially the country greats like George Jones, Hank Williams, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Waylen Jennings, and the list goes on. Anyone who knew Paul knew him as a larger-than-life personality with an infectious (roaring, embarrassing-at-times to his children and wife when they were younger!) laugh. He had a laser-sharp wit and could tell a thousand bad dad jokes, often NSFW in this “woke” day and age. And he never gave a hoot about what anyone thought of him. He was definitely one of a kind. Paul was preceded in death by his father Reuben Eddie Estes, his mother Beatrice Grace Pelton, his sister Patricia Walters (and the late Jerry Walters), his brother Dan R. Estes (Sharon) and a daughter Samantha Estes. He is survived by his beautiful and dedicated wife of 47 years Luella Cora Estes, daughter Dani McDonough (Andy), daughter Pauletta Kim (Ricky) and daughter Mae Hentz (Chuck). Grandchildren Brendan and Daniel Hentz, Jackson and Lauren McDonough, and Noah & Penny Kim. Survivors also include a multitude of caring brothers and sisters in law – a huge support to their sister Cora : Jenny Tagnipez (Teotimo), Elvo Masing (Gigi), Amy Escamis (Pat), Elm Jay Sagadraca (Bobot), Glenda Tomol (Wally), the late Grover Masing (Reina), and Yuri Masing. Nephews – Jeff Walters (Patty), Kyle Walters (Joseph), Daniel Estes, jr, Jay R Masing, Pat Ryan Escamis (Ashley), Lou Jay Sagadraca (Sami), Gee Jay Gamalo (Ayana), Sean (Monica), Chad Masing. Nieces – Kim Sandage (Fred), Ashley Monroe (Sean), Althea Santiago (Harold), Elaine Williams (Aaron), Hannah Del Rosario (Sonny), JulieAnne Loyola (Ramon) and the late Estanne (Aika) Masing. And even more great nieces and nephews too numerous to count. He was blessed. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Association.