Ronald L. Estes went on eternal patrol December 28, 2024. He was born in Baird, Texas on March 7, 1940. He proudly served in the US Navy, aboard nuclear submarines from 1958 through 1964.

While stationed in New London, Connecticut in 1960, the Texas sailor met a nursing student, Pauline Tellier, who became the love of his life. They began dating, married in 1961, and had a long and happy marriage of almost 60 years.

Upon honorable discharge, he began a long and distinguished career in the nuclear power industry. He worked for Brown & Root in the construction of the Comanche Peak nuclear power plant, near Glen Rose, Texas. Ron then worked for Texas Utilities, in the instrumentation build, at the same site. He later worked on the South Texas Nuclear Project, near Bay City, Texas.

Ron began the Cleburne Youth Soccer Association in 1977, keeping a promise to his children to play organized soccer. Starting with just three teams, soccer is now a varsity sport at Cleburne High School, all due to many years of Ron's dedication.

Ron was actively involved in the submariners' veterans' group, having served aboard the USS Thresher (SSN593) just prior to its final Sea trials. He testified in the Congressional inquiry of the incident and has been working with retired Captain Jim Bryant and others regarding the events which led to the submarine sinking in 1963.

Always a great host for family and friends, Ron loved to cook and graduated with a Culinary Arts degree from Del Mar College following his nuclear engineering career. To apply his culinary arts degree, he opened a pizza restaurant and was the founding owner of Padre Pizzeria on North Padre Island, Texas.

In 2005, Ron and Pauline retired to Horseshoe Bay, Texas. He spent many years there fishing, gardening, and making wine. He then relocated to the Austin area to better care for Pauline, who passed in 2021. Ron spent his final years in Pipe Creek, Texas, gardening, tinkering, and raising quail.

He is survived by his four children: daughter, Laura Estes and wife Joyce Lauck; daughter, Mary Estes and partner Rory Walter; son, Ronald Estes Jr. and wife Michelle; and daughter, Dr. Lisa Burney and husband Neal Burney. Ron is also survived by two grandchildren: granddaughter, Kaitlin Estes Jones and husband Preston, and grandson, Keith Estes and wife Olivia. He welcomed his first great-grandchild in late May 2024, who lovingly carries the name of his late wife, Whitley Pauline Jones.

Ron is survived by his sister, Jerry Crossman of Oceanside, California, and his nephew, Kirk Crossman of Fallbrook, California, and niece, Kimberly Collier of Oceanside, California.

He is also survived by nieces, Simone Mularski of Middletown, Connecticut, Francis Messina and Tina Messina of Hilliard, Ohio, and Maria Dowd of Newington, Connecticut. Ron enjoyed his numerous grand nieces and nephews as well as great grand nieces and nephews.

He will be buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas on January 16th, 2025 at 2 PM.

Many thanks to Grimes Funeral Chapels of Kerrville for their service, care, and professionalism. The family requests that in lieu of flowers that donations be directed to the Thresher Base to honor Ron's service to our Nation and the submarine service. Donations can be sent to Dave Webster, Thresher Base Treasurer, 2 Gerald's Drive, South Berwick, ME 03908.

Immediately following the ceremony at Ft. Sam all will be welcome to attend a reception with appetizers and drinks at The Barn Door Restaurant located at 8400 N New Braunfels St., San Antonio, TX.

''Rather than mourn the absence of the flame, let us celebrate how brightly it burned''

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