Funeral services for John R. "Jack" Estes, 69, of Lower Brule SD will be 1:00 pm Friday, May 24, 2019 at the Lower Brule Community Center in Lower Brule with burial in the Holy Comforter Episcopal Cemetery at Lower Brule, SD.  Wake services will be Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 7:00 pm at the Lower Brule Community Center in Lower Brule.

John Robert "Jack" Estes was born on March 8, 1950 at Chamberlain, SD to John Walter and Bessie Amelia (Goodface) Estes. Jack attended school at Lower Brule Day School, Reliance High School and graduated from Keams Canyon High School, Keams Canyon, Arizona. When Jack was 17 years old, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving combat tours of Vietnam serving as a recon sharpshooter scout, and achieving the rank of Staff Sargeant. On his return to the United States, Jack continued his military career at Camp Pendleton, California until 1975.  He held various jobs while living in San Diego, California.

In 1981, he returned home to Lower Brule. Jack began his Emergency Medical Services career working  as an EMT or EMT Services Director for the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe and the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe. He served as tribal coroner for 25 years. He retired after 30 years of service to the people.  Jack had a calm, focused demeanor that gave his patients a sense of safety.

Jack was known for his sense of humor and his ability to make everyone feel at ease. When you talked to Jack you knew he was totally focused on you, he listened. Jack was a leader in our community, his integrity, unselfish compassion and love for others was apparent in everything he did for others.

Jack passed away at home on May 16, 2019. He joins in the spirit world his parents, John W. and Bessie A. (Goodface) Estes; paternal grandparents, Rueben and Cornelia (Sawalla) Estes; maternal grandparents, Henry and Eunice (Two Hawks) Goodface; brother, Leslie Gerald and sister, Frances Marlene.

Jack is survived by his wife, Tanya and children, John Walter, Quentin Michael and Jaclyn Melvina Ashley, and children; Sharon Firecloud  (Wilma Wilson) Damian and Cameron (Phyllis Hudson); Joy Powers;  Ida Fioritto (Tim); Beth Morgan (Mike); John Robert Powers (Torrie); Martha Estes (Shilo Ziegler)(Peggy); brothers; George H; Quentin Carl (Bim); Bertrand James (Jim);Herbie Goodlow, Sr.(Toni) ; Ronald Lee (Cricket); sisters; Maria (Suzi) Buffalo (Milo) and Teresa (Tere) Estes Sandoval and numerous nieces and nephews and grandchildren.

Jack leaves behind a whole community who mourns his passing and celebrates his life.

We were blessed to know you.