- Date Of Birth: May 13, 1932
- Date Of Death: November 3, 2006
- State: Florida
Fred Estes, 74, passed away unexpectedly at the Fort Walton Beach Medical Center on Friday, 3 November, 2006.
Fred was born on Friday, May 13, 1932 to Frank O. Estes and Anna Wiltbank Estes in
Chestertown, MD.
He graduated from St. Pauls in Baltimore, MD where he played lacrosse. He graduated from the University of Maryland at College Park, MD with a degree in Animal Husbandry in 1954. He played and lettered on the school lacrosse team all four years where he was also a member of Kappa Alpha and ROTC.
In 1952 Fred met Jennie (Virgina Corbin) at the University of Maryland.
Fred began his military career In October 1954 when he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. He completed training in the F-86D at Tyndall AFB in 1956. He had further assignments at Lockbourne AFB, OH(2); Tyndall AFB, FL; Athens, Greece; Evreux-Fauville AB, France; Naha AB, Okinawa, Japan; and RAF Mildenhall, England. Fred finished his military career as an advisor to the Minnesota Air National Guard in Minneapolis, MN. During his career Fred transitioned to the C-130A as a senior pilot. Fred received many awards during his career but the one he was most proud of was The Distinguished Flying Cross for a tactical emergency re-supply mission under extremely hazardous conditions during the battle of Khe Sanh, Vietnam.
Fred was a member and President of the Artisan Gallery, FWB from 1979-1981. Fred became an accomplished craftsman during retirement. He helped his wife Jennie with many wood crafts and Santa carving for Craft Shows for over 20 years, he built and repaired clocks, and he completed many beautiful wood working projects.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years Jennie (Virginia) Estes, Brother Frank Estes and wife Nancy of Charleston. W. Va.
