Jimmie attended grade school through high school in Hamtramck, Michigan graduating from Hamtramck High School in 1955, while in high school he played basketball and later baseball. After high school, Jimmie briefly worked with his dad at the family-owned bar (Estell’s Bar). He went on to join the United States Army in 1958 and was honorably discharged in 1964. Upon discharge from the Army, Jimmie went to work at the Civil Rights Commission in Detroit, Michigan for several years. Ultimately Jimmie went on to embark upon a career as a youth specialist with the W. J. Maxey Boys Training School, retiring from the State of Michigan after 28 years of dedicated service. While employed at the Civil Rights Commission, Jimmie met and eventually married, the love of his life Carol. With this union came three children, the late Phyllis Darden, Mark Baker and Jamie Mack. Subsequently, he and his wife relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada where he happily resided until his transition.
Jimmie was a devout sports fan, especially all sports teams emanating from Detroit; Jimmie was also very fond of thorough bred horse racing and a frequent attendee of the Kentucky Derby. Jimmie loved to travel with his wife, family and friends, in particular he enjoyed cross country driving and cruise shipping to various destinations. Jimmie loved and treasured family and friends and never met a stranger; he truly had a heart of gold and a heart larger than the widest ocean. Jimmie and Carol were entertainers extraordinaire, their Oak Park home in Michigan was the place to be year-round.
Jimmie accepted Christ as his personal savior early in his life and reaffirmed his faith and belief in the final days/weeks of his transition from this earth onto eternal glory.
Left to celebrate the memory of Jimmie are his wife and friend of over 60 years, Carolyn Estell; son Mark Baker (Marie), daughter Jamie Mack; aunt/sister Bobbie Jordan, aunt Shirley Little (Othell), grandchildren, Nicole Ford (Preston) Cory D. Milam, Douglas Darden, II (Barbara), Ramone Mack, Asia Mack (Richard), Samuel Baker; great grandchildren; Devin Gray, Darren Gray, Sydney Gray, Marshall Milam, III, Mason Milam, Douglas Darden, III, Brooklyn Atkins, and a host of adoring cousins, family and friends.
Your journey on this earth has ended our beloved Jimmie; you will forever live in our hearts along with your example of what a person with a heart belonging to God looks like, and last, but not least, your infamous words ringing clearly in our minds, “be nice”, will never be forgotten. WE WILL LOVE YOU FOREVER!
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