Zirkle James "Jim" Estes Jr. was born on September 22, 1936, at Martha Jefferson Hospital on Locust Ave., to Zirkle J. Estes and Virginia Martin Estes. His grandparents were William Thomas Martin and Olivia Perkins Martin and Angus Clinton Estes and Minta Deane Estes. He was also a direct descendant of one Abraham Estes, an English immigrant from Kent, who became a landowner in Virginia in the 1600's. Abraham's two marriages and numerous progeny produced many Estes's, including one pioneering one who is remembered at Estes Park, Colorado.

Jim was educated in local public schools and graduated from Albemarle High School in 1954, the year of the school's opening. At UVA, he earned a BS in Education in 1958 and an MA in English from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences in 1961. He then became a teacher in local schools for 31 years, the last 25 at Albemarle High School, his alma mater. After early retirement in 1991, he became the caretaker of his widowed mother from 1986-1999 when she died at the age of 94.

In retirement, Jim was active in two Baptist churches, where he served as deacon and happily sang in the choir. Always a steady reader, he belonged to two reading groups and took many courses, first with JILL and then with OLLI. He loved antique shows.

Jim was predeceased by two brothers, Warren Martin Estes (1927-2002) and William Angus Estes (1928-2010). Jim was blessed to be part of a large extended family and is survived by one niece, two nephews, two great-nieces, two great-nephews, two great great-nephews and several cousins and friends.

Jim died peacefully of esophageal cancer on January 4, 2021. He actually felt that he had lived too long in this world where he could no longer recognize his own hometown.

Jim's ashes are interred in the family plot in Ruckersville Community Cemetery on land donated by his paternal grandparents, as a public cemetery, in 1927. His uncle, Claude Estes, was the first to be buried there.

The family will hold a memorial service to remember Jim at a later time.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.hillandwood.com.
Hill & Wood Funeral Home - Greene Chapel, 15075 Spotswood Trail, Ruckersville, VA 22968

Submitted by Allen Carver.