O.C. Estes

Estes, O.C., 87, retired Senior Vice President of Wesley Medical Center, passed away on Wednesday, April 16, 2008. Visitation will be from 3:00 to 4:00 P.M., Friday, April 18, with the Funeral service following at 4:00 P.M., both at Downing Lahey Mortuary East in Wichita, KS. Inurnment will take place at a later date at the Greenhill Cemetery in Lindsay, OK. Mr. Estes was born on September 18, 1920 in Lindsay, OK to the late Odus C. Estes and Grace Cudd Estes. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother Jack C. Estes of Falls Church, VA. Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Mildred Irene Estes, daughter Glenyce Feeney (fianc Don Bennett), Little Rock, AR., son Dr. Robert Estes (Cindy) Tulsa, OK, grandchildren Michael, Maeghan, Matthew, Meredith, and Madison Estes, sister-in-law Jean Estes, Vero Beach, Fla., sister-in-law Mary Ellen Addy (Charles) Alex, OK, nieces Francine Novosad, Rosemary Addy, Betty Crawford, Martha Burford, Pamela Robinson, and nephews Steve Estes and Glenn Faulk. The family wishes to also acknowledge special friends Sylvia Dewey Muse and Shirley and Bill Newport. A native of Lindsay, OK., Mr. Estes graduated from Lindsay High School and earned an Associate Degree from Cameron Jr. College, Lawton, OK. before entering the service. He enlisted in the US Navy Air Corps in 1942 as an aviation cadet. His training included Civilian Pilot Training at Wiley Post Airport, Oklahoma City, navigation school at the University of Georgia instrument training in Grand Prairie, Texas and completion of flight training in Hollywood, Fla.and Jacksonville, Fla. He was commissioned an Ensign and served as pilot of the PBY multi-engine aircraft. He often joked he was to big to be a fighter pilot. During his service, he was stationed at Kaneohe Bay, Oahu and Whidbey Island, Seattle, Washington. He completed his service as a Lt. J.G. After his discharge in 1945, Mr. Estes earned a Bachelors degree in Finance and Business Law in 1947, and a Masters degree in Finance in 1949 from the University of Oklahoma (Norman). From 1949 through April 1951, he remained at the University of Oklahoma as assistant chief accountant, then served as comptroller at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation and Hospital in Oklahoma City. He remained an avid University of Oklahoma “Sooner” football fan purchasing season tickets for many years. Deciding on a career in hospital administration, Mr. Estes pursued a Masters Degree receiving a full scholarship to the University of Chicago. He completed a Masters in Hospital Administration in 1959 while working at Michael Reese Hospital (Chicago) in administration. He received the Universitys Mary C. Bachmeyer Award for academic achievement. He became a Fellow of the American College of Hospital Administrators on August 25, 1963 and was a Life Member. His career in hospital administration began a the East Orange Co. Hospital (NJ), and continued to McAlester General Hospital (OK), Boone Co. Hospital (Harrison, AR), Nan Travis Memorial Hospital (Jacksonville, Texas), and 20 years at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita where he served as a consultant after his retirement. He received the “Quality of Life “Research Institution Award from Wesley Medical Research Institution in 1988. Mr. Estes enjoyed working with all levels of employees at Wesley Medical Center. Known for his dry wit, his door was always open. He expertly handled emergencies and found great pride in hospital expansion and his role in construction projects and legal issues. He served as a role model for integrity and honestly for all who worked with him. Mr. Estes was a member of the First Methodist Church, Wichita, KS serving on the Board and a member of the Guidance Council, Lindsay (OK) Lodge No. 248, AF and AM, a 32 degree member of the Wichita Scottish Rite of Free Masonry, Toast Masters Club, and Rotary International. As a young adult, Mr. Estes enjoyed archery making his own bows and arrows. He later made fishing rods. He enjoyed hours of working in his basement “shop”. After retirement, Mr. Estes interests included gardening, traveling, and woodworking. He carved Santa Clauses from old wooden spools and delighted in giving them to friends and family. He was featured in the Kansas Times December 1995 issue. During his retirement, the American Red Cross tapped his passion for driving. He volunteered as a van driver for many years. He received the Bill Seddon Award in 1997 and the Central Plains Region Volunteer of the Year Award in 2001 for his commitment to ensuring blood reached hospitals throughout Kansas and northern Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers, memorials donations may be made in his name to the American Red Cross, Transportation Department, 1900 East Douglas, Wichita, Kansas 67214, or Wichita Medical Research Education Foundation, 3306 East Central, Wichita, Kansas 67208. Visitation will be from 3:00 to 4:00 P.M., Friday, April 18, at Downing Lahey Mortuary East.