COL. CLIFFORD ARTHUR ESTES, 72, USAR (RET), of
New Braunfels, TX, died on May 25, 2011, with
burial in Davidson Cemetery, Palo Pinto County,
TX.
Cliff was born March 6, 1939, in El Reno, OK. He
was the son of the late Agnes Bradford and John
Arthur Estes. A 1957 graduate of Ranger High
School in Ranger, TX, he earned his Bachelor of
Science degree, having attended Ranger Jr. College
and The University of Texas at Austin. Col. Estes'
military record included more than 36 years of
combined service in the U.S. Army, Texas National
Guard and the U.S. Army Reserves. He received
numerous military awards & commendations, including
the Legion of Merit award. He also worked as a
Civil Servant for the U.S. Army & U.S. Air Force
for 29 years.
He was an active 4th Degree Member and past Grand
Knight of the Knights of Columbus, New Braunfels
Council 4183 and Assembly 1791. He served as a
Eucharistic Minister in his church and a jail
minister at the Comal County Jail. Cliff was a
past president of the Comal Cty Fair Association
and the Comal County Texas Exes. He also was a
past member of the Board of Directors of the
Texas Association of Fairs and Events.
Cliff loved cars and traveling the open road. He
especially enjoyed his annual trips to Ghost Ranch
in New Mexico, playing golf with old Army buddies,
and a friendly game of cards with his Brother
Knights.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Jan Mills
Estes; daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Enrique
Mejia of Laredo; son, James Estes; and his beloved
grandchildren, Alejandro, Miguel and Sarah Mejia.