Claud K. Estes, 84, a longtime Armona resident, passed away on Saturday, May 6, 2006.
Claud was born on August 4, 1921 to Harve and Lou Estes in Ash Flat, Arkansas. He was the youngest of 9 children. He served in the U.S. Army-Air Corps during World War II. He was a school teacher at Armona Union Elementary School retiring after 27 years and was very influential in the lives of many children. He was a life member of Hanford Masonic Lodge No. 279 F&AM and was a Hiram Award Recipient; Hanford No. 74 Royal Arch Masons, Visalia Council No. 43, Hanford Commandry No. 46 Knights Templar, A 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason and a member of the First Missionary Baptist Church of Armona.
(Living family details withheld for safety). Claud was preceeded in death by his first child, Billy Frank Estes and 2 Grandchildren, Billy W. Estes & Jill Estes, all at early ages.
He loved his family and will surely be missed by all.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at People's Funeral Chapel in Hanford. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Grangeville Cemetery in Armona.
To me Claud Estes was not merely my schoolteacher; he was my neighbor and my friend. Two of us four kids had him as our schoolteacher as did some of my Aunt's and Uncle's, so he left quite an impression on our entire family. I wonder how he put up with the Dillon's and Johnson's? I can think of no one else that had such a long, illustrious teaching career. Let me first address his teaching principles. Mr. Estes was a gruff looking, sounding man that caught your attention right away. Mr. Estes had a unique way of teaching, he didn't necessarily go by the books, but we learned what the books had in them and much more. Mr. Estes seemed to like history and told us many things that the books didn't. He made learning fun. His golden rule was simple, respect. I remember he "let" us watch the baseball playoffs on television one year because the Dodgers were playing and he obviously liked the Dodgers. We just had to be sure our work was done and keep quiet during the game. No problem, no extra work. Once when we were acting up Mr. Estes told us we should be ashamed of ourselves, and then proceeded to tell us if we were well behaved like his boys we wouldn't have to be disciplined. I can see the humor in that statement now. Then we had our final exam with a bonus question worth some outrageously high amount of points. I wonder if anyone else got the answer right? What great man came to Armona April 1 and I forgot the year? Well naturally it was Claud Estes and he'd done the same thing to my sister, so I knew the answer. He was most impressed as he glared at me over my test paper. I finally told him how I knew and he got a good laugh out of it.
Then I knew him as my neighbor just down the road. Mr. Estes was a humble man that did his good deeds in private and one never knew he was pulling many strings. Mr. Estes was an honest, giving man that cherished what God gave him. His yard was always neat and tidy and he could often be seen relaxing in a chair in the shade. He was never rude, never mean, nor did he ever yell at us kids as we rode down the street on our bicycles. Mr. Estes simply had to look over his glasses if we got too close to his flowerbed and we took a wider birth. Those were the days when kids respected everyone else's property or your parent's could legally bust your behind without going to jail for it.
Claud my friend was the guy that had been there, done that and lived to tell us about it all in great detail whether or not you had the time to listen. Claud could tell some great stories and in my humble opinion they were always worth taking the time. I think the most endearing quality I can remember was his ability to take under dog kids and build them up into a decent person because he cared, he truly did. His laughter was loud, boisterous and contagious.
Of my teacher, neighbor and friend I can say this: Claud openly loved his family with all that he was and though his heart didn't function the best that he would have liked, the incredible love that came from that heart was never stingy, always available and used to its greatest potential. Claud's heart may have failed him, but his love never did. Until we meet again, rest well Dear FRIEND.
Thanks to Susan Richardson Hiley for sponsoring this page;)
Claud was born on August 4, 1921 to Harve and Lou Estes in Ash Flat, Arkansas. He was the youngest of 9 children. He served in the U.S. Army-Air Corps during World War II. He was a school teacher at Armona Union Elementary School retiring after 27 years and was very influential in the lives of many children. He was a life member of Hanford Masonic Lodge No. 279 F&AM and was a Hiram Award Recipient; Hanford No. 74 Royal Arch Masons, Visalia Council No. 43, Hanford Commandry No. 46 Knights Templar, A 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason and a member of the First Missionary Baptist Church of Armona.
(Living family details withheld for safety). Claud was preceeded in death by his first child, Billy Frank Estes and 2 Grandchildren, Billy W. Estes & Jill Estes, all at early ages.
He loved his family and will surely be missed by all.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at People's Funeral Chapel in Hanford. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Grangeville Cemetery in Armona.
To me Claud Estes was not merely my schoolteacher; he was my neighbor and my friend. Two of us four kids had him as our schoolteacher as did some of my Aunt's and Uncle's, so he left quite an impression on our entire family. I wonder how he put up with the Dillon's and Johnson's? I can think of no one else that had such a long, illustrious teaching career. Let me first address his teaching principles. Mr. Estes was a gruff looking, sounding man that caught your attention right away. Mr. Estes had a unique way of teaching, he didn't necessarily go by the books, but we learned what the books had in them and much more. Mr. Estes seemed to like history and told us many things that the books didn't. He made learning fun. His golden rule was simple, respect. I remember he "let" us watch the baseball playoffs on television one year because the Dodgers were playing and he obviously liked the Dodgers. We just had to be sure our work was done and keep quiet during the game. No problem, no extra work. Once when we were acting up Mr. Estes told us we should be ashamed of ourselves, and then proceeded to tell us if we were well behaved like his boys we wouldn't have to be disciplined. I can see the humor in that statement now. Then we had our final exam with a bonus question worth some outrageously high amount of points. I wonder if anyone else got the answer right? What great man came to Armona April 1 and I forgot the year? Well naturally it was Claud Estes and he'd done the same thing to my sister, so I knew the answer. He was most impressed as he glared at me over my test paper. I finally told him how I knew and he got a good laugh out of it.
Then I knew him as my neighbor just down the road. Mr. Estes was a humble man that did his good deeds in private and one never knew he was pulling many strings. Mr. Estes was an honest, giving man that cherished what God gave him. His yard was always neat and tidy and he could often be seen relaxing in a chair in the shade. He was never rude, never mean, nor did he ever yell at us kids as we rode down the street on our bicycles. Mr. Estes simply had to look over his glasses if we got too close to his flowerbed and we took a wider birth. Those were the days when kids respected everyone else's property or your parent's could legally bust your behind without going to jail for it.
Claud my friend was the guy that had been there, done that and lived to tell us about it all in great detail whether or not you had the time to listen. Claud could tell some great stories and in my humble opinion they were always worth taking the time. I think the most endearing quality I can remember was his ability to take under dog kids and build them up into a decent person because he cared, he truly did. His laughter was loud, boisterous and contagious.
Of my teacher, neighbor and friend I can say this: Claud openly loved his family with all that he was and though his heart didn't function the best that he would have liked, the incredible love that came from that heart was never stingy, always available and used to its greatest potential. Claud's heart may have failed him, but his love never did. Until we meet again, rest well Dear FRIEND.
Thanks to Susan Richardson Hiley for sponsoring this page;)
Claud K. Estes, 84, a longtime Armona resident, passed away on Saturday, May 6, 2006.
Claud was born on August 4, 1921 to Harve and Lou Estes in Ash Flat, Arkansas. He was the youngest of 9 children. He served in the U.S. Army-Air Corps during World War II. He was a school teacher at Armona Union Elementary School retiring after 27 years and was very influential in the lives of many children. He was a life member of Hanford Masonic Lodge No. 279 F&AM and was a Hiram Award Recipient; Hanford No. 74 Royal Arch Masons, Visalia Council No. 43, Hanford Commandry No. 46 Knights Templar, A 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason and a member of the First Missionary Baptist Church of Armona.
(Living family details withheld for safety). Claud was preceeded in death by his first child, Billy Frank Estes and 2 Grandchildren, Billy W. Estes & Jill Estes, all at early ages.
He loved his family and will surely be missed by all.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at People's Funeral Chapel in Hanford. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Grangeville Cemetery in Armona.
To me Claud Estes was not merely my schoolteacher; he was my neighbor and my friend. Two of us four kids had him as our schoolteacher as did some of my Aunt's and Uncle's, so he left quite an impression on our entire family. I wonder how he put up with the Dillon's and Johnson's? I can think of no one else that had such a long, illustrious teaching career. Let me first address his teaching principles. Mr. Estes was a gruff looking, sounding man that caught your attention right away. Mr. Estes had a unique way of teaching, he didn't necessarily go by the books, but we learned what the books had in them and much more. Mr. Estes seemed to like history and told us many things that the books didn't. He made learning fun. His golden rule was simple, respect. I remember he "let" us watch the baseball playoffs on television one year because the Dodgers were playing and he obviously liked the Dodgers. We just had to be sure our work was done and keep quiet during the game. No problem, no extra work. Once when we were acting up Mr. Estes told us we should be ashamed of ourselves, and then proceeded to tell us if we were well behaved like his boys we wouldn't have to be disciplined. I can see the humor in that statement now. Then we had our final exam with a bonus question worth some outrageously high amount of points. I wonder if anyone else got the answer right? What great man came to Armona April 1 and I forgot the year? Well naturally it was Claud Estes and he'd done the same thing to my sister, so I knew the answer. He was most impressed as he glared at me over my test paper. I finally told him how I knew and he got a good laugh out of it.
Then I knew him as my neighbor just down the road. Mr. Estes was a humble man that did his good deeds in private and one never knew he was pulling many strings. Mr. Estes was an honest, giving man that cherished what God gave him. His yard was always neat and tidy and he could often be seen relaxing in a chair in the shade. He was never rude, never mean, nor did he ever yell at us kids as we rode down the street on our bicycles. Mr. Estes simply had to look over his glasses if we got too close to his flowerbed and we took a wider birth. Those were the days when kids respected everyone else's property or your parent's could legally bust your behind without going to jail for it.
Claud my friend was the guy that had been there, done that and lived to tell us about it all in great detail whether or not you had the time to listen. Claud could tell some great stories and in my humble opinion they were always worth taking the time. I think the most endearing quality I can remember was his ability to take under dog kids and build them up into a decent person because he cared, he truly did. His laughter was loud, boisterous and contagious.
Of my teacher, neighbor and friend I can say this: Claud openly loved his family with all that he was and though his heart didn't function the best that he would have liked, the incredible love that came from that heart was never stingy, always available and used to its greatest potential. Claud's heart may have failed him, but his love never did. Until we meet again, rest well Dear FRIEND.
Thanks to Susan Richardson Hiley for sponsoring this page;)
Claud was born on August 4, 1921 to Harve and Lou Estes in Ash Flat, Arkansas. He was the youngest of 9 children. He served in the U.S. Army-Air Corps during World War II. He was a school teacher at Armona Union Elementary School retiring after 27 years and was very influential in the lives of many children. He was a life member of Hanford Masonic Lodge No. 279 F&AM and was a Hiram Award Recipient; Hanford No. 74 Royal Arch Masons, Visalia Council No. 43, Hanford Commandry No. 46 Knights Templar, A 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason and a member of the First Missionary Baptist Church of Armona.
(Living family details withheld for safety). Claud was preceeded in death by his first child, Billy Frank Estes and 2 Grandchildren, Billy W. Estes & Jill Estes, all at early ages.
He loved his family and will surely be missed by all.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at People's Funeral Chapel in Hanford. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Grangeville Cemetery in Armona.
To me Claud Estes was not merely my schoolteacher; he was my neighbor and my friend. Two of us four kids had him as our schoolteacher as did some of my Aunt's and Uncle's, so he left quite an impression on our entire family. I wonder how he put up with the Dillon's and Johnson's? I can think of no one else that had such a long, illustrious teaching career. Let me first address his teaching principles. Mr. Estes was a gruff looking, sounding man that caught your attention right away. Mr. Estes had a unique way of teaching, he didn't necessarily go by the books, but we learned what the books had in them and much more. Mr. Estes seemed to like history and told us many things that the books didn't. He made learning fun. His golden rule was simple, respect. I remember he "let" us watch the baseball playoffs on television one year because the Dodgers were playing and he obviously liked the Dodgers. We just had to be sure our work was done and keep quiet during the game. No problem, no extra work. Once when we were acting up Mr. Estes told us we should be ashamed of ourselves, and then proceeded to tell us if we were well behaved like his boys we wouldn't have to be disciplined. I can see the humor in that statement now. Then we had our final exam with a bonus question worth some outrageously high amount of points. I wonder if anyone else got the answer right? What great man came to Armona April 1 and I forgot the year? Well naturally it was Claud Estes and he'd done the same thing to my sister, so I knew the answer. He was most impressed as he glared at me over my test paper. I finally told him how I knew and he got a good laugh out of it.
Then I knew him as my neighbor just down the road. Mr. Estes was a humble man that did his good deeds in private and one never knew he was pulling many strings. Mr. Estes was an honest, giving man that cherished what God gave him. His yard was always neat and tidy and he could often be seen relaxing in a chair in the shade. He was never rude, never mean, nor did he ever yell at us kids as we rode down the street on our bicycles. Mr. Estes simply had to look over his glasses if we got too close to his flowerbed and we took a wider birth. Those were the days when kids respected everyone else's property or your parent's could legally bust your behind without going to jail for it.
Claud my friend was the guy that had been there, done that and lived to tell us about it all in great detail whether or not you had the time to listen. Claud could tell some great stories and in my humble opinion they were always worth taking the time. I think the most endearing quality I can remember was his ability to take under dog kids and build them up into a decent person because he cared, he truly did. His laughter was loud, boisterous and contagious.
Of my teacher, neighbor and friend I can say this: Claud openly loved his family with all that he was and though his heart didn't function the best that he would have liked, the incredible love that came from that heart was never stingy, always available and used to its greatest potential. Claud's heart may have failed him, but his love never did. Until we meet again, rest well Dear FRIEND.
Thanks to Susan Richardson Hiley for sponsoring this page;)
Family Members
Spouse
Siblings
Children
