John H. Estes

 

June 18, 1937 - February 1, 2024

 

John was born in Henryetta, Oklahoma on June 18, 1937 to Veda and John Barney Estes.  They moved to San Francisco, CA in the late 1930’s.  John B. remarried Ellen Bunger in 1944 and together they created a loving home for John in the Sunset District of San Francisco.  John graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in 1956.

 

John loved baseball and signed a contract to play with the San Francisco Seals in 1959.  In 1960, John was drafted and served two years in the US Army after spending five years in the Navy Reserves.  He was honorably discharged in 1962.  After his service he came home and played semi pro baseball with the Teamsters.  He met his wife, Joyce Monell Quinlan, of 53 years in 1960 at the Roller Derby held at the Napa Fairgrounds.  Joyce and John were married on April 7, 1963 and were blessed with a daughter, Debra Lynn 1966-1994.

 

He was a Teamster and worked for SunBlest Foods which became Monarch Foods, where he worked for 28 years.  John became a Union Official and worked for Teamster Local 85 as President and Business Agent until his retirement in 1992.  During John’s tenure with the Teamsters he was very proud that he never had a strike on his watch. 

 

John and Joyce made their home in San Mateo, CA until they moved to Hiddenbrooke in Vallejo, CA in 2001 until present.  John enjoyed boating on his Catalina sailboats moored at The Oakland Yacht Club and spending time at Lake Berryessa site F-25, fondly known as Camp Okie Dokie.  Additionally, John  played golf and enjoyed his many friendships with his Hiddenbrooke neighbors.  

 

John is preceded in death by: parents, John B.,Veda, Ellen;  wife, Joyce; daughter Debra and brother-in-law Dennis Quinlan.

 

John is survived by: sister-in-laws, Sharon Quinlan Sanders (Max), Rosemarie Tafoya Quinlan, several nieces and nephews, and grand nieces and nephews.  He will be missed by his family, many friends, and Teamster brothers and sisters. The family would like to thank his dedicated caregivers Maria, Lani, and Flor along with the caring staff at Aegis Living of Napa.  Donations in John’s memory can be made to Muttville, Senior Dog Rescue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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