Robert Ray Estes
July 11, 1930
January 2, 2023
Robert Ray (Bob) Estes, 92, of Meridian, Idaho passed away at home on January 2, 2023, in Meridian after a brief illness. Gravesite service and burial will be 2:00PM Friday, January 6, 2023, at Rosedale Memorial Gardens, Payette.
Bob was born July 11, 1930, in Calico Rock, Arkansas, to William Karr and Alice (Carrico) Estes. The family moved to Nampa, Idaho in the mid 30’s where Bob met his lifelong friend, Jim Reed. After the family moved to Payette, Idaho, Bob attended Payette schools, and graduated from Payette High School in 1949.
Bob enlisted in the Air Force in August 1950 and served in Korea, ultimately attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. Bob was honorably discharged in August 1954. After briefly returning to Payette and working for Hanigan Chevrolet, he enrolled at Idaho State University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business. Bob went to work for Safeco Insurance in 1958 where his job had him and the family living in Idaho Falls, and Boise, Idaho. It was while he was living in Idaho Falls that Bob met another lifelong friend, Rocky Hall. After returning to Boise, Bob partnered with Robert Walker and formed Walker-Estes Insurance in Emmett, Idaho. After many years of commuting from Boise to Emmett and back every day, Walker-Estes was sold and Bob semi retired. Never being one to sit around, Bob worked for several years for Hertz Car Sales where he got to combine two of his favorite things: driving and new cars.
On July 21, 1953, Bob married his high school sweetheart and forever love LaDonna Anne Hanigan, and they were blessed with five children. Bob and Donna loved spending family time together whether at home, at the family cabin in McCall, Idaho, or with other family; Dick and Jeanne Hanigan, Bob and Jill Hanigan, as well as the many children of all 3 families in Payette. After LaDonna’s passing in November 2004 Bob lived in Boise. Bob spent his last years living with his oldest daughter, Kathy Hall and her husband, Brian Jarman in Meridian. He was always being entertained and amused by Kathy and Brian’s two small dogs Maddy and Blu. They loved being around “Papa”, sleeping with him, and enjoying walks.
Bob is survived by his children Kathy Hall (Brian Jarman), Mike Estes (Jana), Debbie Mitchell, Janine Cisler (Chris), and Mary Pat Estes: Nine grandchildren: Nick Hall, Jared Estes, Elizabeth and Chris Mitchell, Teri Cisler (Manley), Nathan Cisler, Caitlyn, Ryan, and Rachel Eguia; Five great grandchildren: Grayson Hall, Patrick and Jensen Manley, Shaylee Daniels, Emma Mitchell; Two great great grandchildren Blaire and Nova Daniels.
A “Celebration of Life” for Bob will be held Saturday, August 5, 2023 from 2:00 pm until 6:00 pm at the home of Mike and Jana Estes, 10921 Mohawk Dr., Boise, ID, 83709.
Memorials may be made in Robert’s name to: Mission 43, Wounded Warrior Project, or another veteran’s charity.
“Oh, what a beautiful and wonderful stroll through life this has been. A healthy, normal childhood with few things that money could buy….but so much that only God could provide. No, future generations will neither read of my accomplishments nor extol my virtues, but no man will ever be more proud of that with which I was blessed: a beautiful and wonderful wife and mother, 5 beautiful, normal, well adjusted children who are a definite plus to this world.
Regrets? Of course I have them….aplenty. But I will go to my final resting place knowing that I am loved. And I will rest beside the most wonderful person that I have ever known.” (Words from Bob Estes later in his life)