Hollis "Bud" Estes

Bud was born in Pecos, Texas on December 1, 1931 to Blueford and Annie Bell Estes. He was one of 11 children. He spent his childhood around horses and dreamed of growing up to be a cowboy. He once stole an entire case of hot Dr. Pepper from behind a store and, to keep from getting in trouble, drank the whole thing. He spent the rest of his life curling up his nose at Dr. Pepper and would only drink regular Coca-Cola.

Bud joined the US Navy in 1949 where he proudly served as a photographer until his retirement in 1969. During this time, Bud became the loving father to his six children, Ron, Tom, Onzie, Patrick, Roxy and Tracy. Because of his job in the Navy, Bud always had a camera on hand and took lots of pictures of his children. Some of those pictures show him breaking all sorts of today’s baby book rules. All of his kids turned out just fine, however.

After his retirement from the Navy, Bud and his children moved to Fresno where he worked a few odd jobs, including a job working undercover with the police force. He began driving truck in the 1970’s and worked as a long haul truck driver until his retirement in 1997. He also owned his own company during those years and built custom cabinets for people’s homes. Bud loved working with his hands and many of his family members have beautiful pieces of his furniture displayed in their homes.

Bud met his wife, Betsy, at a Parents without Partners meeting that she attended with a friend. It was love at first sight. They were married in 1976 and he became a step-father to her two children, Brandon and Roxanne.

After they were both retired, Bud and his wife quickly got back on the road and began living their dream of full-time RV travel. Home was where they parked it. They spent their summers fishing in Alaska and their winters between California, Oregon, Arizona and Texas visiting family. Bud welcomed his friends and family to visit and fish with him and enjoyed providing everyone he knew with fresh halibut and salmon.

When the time came to stop traveling, Bud and his wife settled down in Fresno to be close to his children. Up until the time of his death, Bud swore he had, “A few good trips” left in him and probably would have stayed on the road forever.

Above all else, Bud was a family man and spent his final years being surrounded by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well as his church family at Palm Avenue Community Church.

Bud passed away peacefully in his home on November 1, 2013 surrounded by his family and his dog, Angie. He is preceded in death by his parents, Blueford and Annie Bell Estes, his 10 siblings, and his in-laws, Ralph and Erma Garrett. He is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Betsy Estes, his children: Ron Estes and his wife, Shellie; Tom Estes and his wife, Larisa; Onzie Williams and her husband, Al; Patrick Estes and his wife, Mary; Roxy Lewis and her husband, Buddy; Tracy Estes; Brandon Ezzell and his wife, Karen; Roxanne Halliday and her husband, JJ. He is also survived by his 14 grandchildren and his 12 great-grandchildren as well as many loved family and friends.

Funeral service will be held at Palm Avenue Community Church Saturday, November 9, 2013 at 10 a.m.

Arrangements made by Tinkler Funeral Chapel & Crematory.