California Obituaries
San Bernardino County

Redlands Daily Facts; Submitted by Peggy Hooper

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Col. Albert W. Estes Jr.
Posted: 03/22/2010 03:05:11 PM PDT

Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Albert W. Estes Jr. passed away suddenly on Friday, March 
12, 2010, at the age of 70, at his home in Landenberg, Pennsylvania. He was born 
March 23, 1939, in El Dorado, Arkansas. 

Estes graduated with a bachelor of science degree from the University of Arkansas 
and was commissioned in the United States Air Force in 1963. He was a command pilot 
with more than 7,000 hours flying in the T-37, T-38, C-124, C-141, T-33, F-4, O-2, C-9, 
T-39 and the C-5. 

He served as a forward air controller during the Vietnam conflict and flew 376 combat 
missions totaling 918 hours. He was the recipient of numerous military awards and 
decorations including the Legion of Merit and the Distinguished Flying Cross. 

In addition to his flying duties, he served in many command and staff positions in the 
Military Airlift Command. From 1975 to 1977 he served as an exchange officer with the 
Royal Air Force in the United Kingdom. After his return from the UK, he commanded 
53rd Military Airlift Squadron at Norton Air Force Base in San Bernardino. 

He attended Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base nd also earned a master of arts 
degree in international relations from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri. 

Later in his career, he served as chief of the Airlift Forces Division, Directorate of Plans 
at the Pentagon where he was instrumental in the development of the C-17. His last flying 
assignment was as the wing commander of the 
436th Military Airlift Wing at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. 
After 30 years of service, Col. Estes retired from the Air Force in 1993. 

He went on to work for Goodwill Industries of Southern California and the San Bernardino 
County school system. In his retirement, he worked tirelessly on the golf course to lower 
his already impressive handicap. 

Col. Estes was predeceased by his parents, Albert W. Estes Sr. and Gertrude Walker Estes, 
and his sister, Marion Azelle Freeman. 

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Keitha Andrews Estes. He is also survived by his 
sons Alan W. Estes and wife Monica of Avondale, Pennsylvania, and Christopher A. Estes 
of Owings, Maryland; five grandchildren: Angela, Andrew and Ryan Estes of Avondale, 
Pennsylvania, and Erin and Spencer Estes of Owings, Maryland; and his brother Alan Dale 
Estes of Flippin, Arkansas. 

A service and burial will be held at Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday, June 9, 
2010, at 1 p.m. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations in Col. Estes' memory be made to 
The Helen F. Graham Cancer Center, 4701 Ogletown-Stanton Road, Newark, DE 19713. 
Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins Funeral Home Inc., 
Oxford, Pa. On-line condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com