John L. Estes Jr., D.D.S., a respected local church leader with a heart for medical missions around the globe, died Oct. 25 in Abilene at age 87. The 1948 graduate of Abilene Christian University was a trustee of Zambia Medical Mission, having helped establish and direct efforts to lead an annual trip to the African country to minister to needy people. In 2010, nearly 20,000 people received care from Americans and others whose selfless mentors include Estes and other Christian physicians and educators.
John and his wife, June (Linn ’48), received ACU’s Christian Service Award in 1999. He served in numerous volunteer leadership roles at ACU through the years, and the couple have been avid supporters of Abilene Christian Schools.
A memorial service will be held Oct. 31 at 11 a.m. in the University Church of Christ in Abilene, where Estes served for years as an elder. Read more about his life here.