John L. Estes III

John Levi Estes III, 74, of Abilene, Texas, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 26, 2025, surrounded by his beloved family. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, son, and friend, Johnny lived a rich and fulfilling life rooted in faith, serving others, and his unwavering dedication to his family.

Born in Rosebud, Texas, on April 8, 1951, to John Levi Estes, Jr. and Melba June Linn Estes, he was a faithful servant of Jesus Christ throughout his life. Johnny lived in Rosebud until they moved to Houston in 1952 for his father to attend the University of Texas dental school. In 1956, the Estes family returned to Abilene, and it was here that he grew up, attending Abilene Christian Schools from the first grade until his graduation from Abilene Christian High School in 1969. In high school, he participated in basketball, track, and choir. From a young age, Johnny loved farming and raising his own cattle as he worked alongside and learned from his father, grandfather, and uncles.

Johnny continued his education at Abilene Christian College, majoring in Biology. While at ACC, he played on the ACC freshman basketball team, studied and developed a talent in pottery, earned his pilot’s license, and was a proud member of Sub T-16. During his freshman year, he met the love of his life, Angela Clovis. Their courtship was an adventure-whether he was flying her on his plane to a dinner date, or riding his horse from the farm to Angela’s dorm to visit her at ACC. They were married on July 20, 1973, at College Church of Christ in Abilene, beginning a marriage marked by faith, family, love, and partnership.

Following in the footsteps of his father, Dr. John, Johnny pursued dentistry at The University of Texas Dental Branch in Houston.There he earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1976. He and Angela returned to Abilene in February 1976, where Johnny joined his father’s practice on Cedar Street. For nearly 50 years, Dr. Johnny faithfully cared for the Abilene community, earning the deep respect and love of both patients and his staff. Over the years, many of his friends were his patients and all of his patients he considered friends. Dr. Johnny was a member of the dental staff at Hendrick Medical Center through much of his career. One of his greatest joys was practicing side by side with his father, and later his daughter, Gwin, and son, John IV. His legacy is one of compassion and dedication, carried on through the generations of his family.

Johnny was a devoted husband and father, always present for his family. He coached soccer and little league, never missed a game or event, and was his children’s biggest cheerleader. He instilled in his family a love of travel, planning adventurous vacations that always included plenty of historical markers and history museums along the way. Johnny cherished time with his kids-whether being Saturdays at the farm, camping trips to Alaska, traveling to Africa with James, cheering John on the football field, or riding horses at the ranch with Gwin. Johnny and Angela enjoyed many wonderful times together-weekends at the ranch, special time with grandkids, trips to Italy, Spain, Santa Fe, Zambia, Tanzania, Botswana, South Africa and more. Most recently in March, Johnny and Angela enjoyed the trip of a lifetime to the Loire Valley and Paris, France with all of their children and grandchildren. No matter the occasion, he was always there for his family.

A proud fifth-generation Texan, Johnny found great fulfillment in the land and heritage he cherished. He devoted himself to his ranch in Callahan County, where he took pride in stewarding the land and caring for his cattle. Always most comfortable in his Wranglers, boots, and his cowboy hat, he exemplified the values of hard work, perseverance, and respect for the land. He loved the ranch, but most of all he loved sharing it with his family and friends. An avid outdoorsman, Johnny’s passion for hunting carried him well beyond the ranch gates. Throughout his life, he pursed deer across Texas, elk in the Rocky Mountains, sheep in the mountains of Asia, and game on numerous African safaris.

Johnny’s life was defined by faith, service, family, and adventure. For more than two decades, he faithfully traveled each July to Africa as a part of the Zambia Medical Mission team, carrying on the legacy of his parents. There he led the dental team, provided dental care to those in need, and shared God’s word. His heart for service and leadership shone brightest in his years of mission work, where he used his talents so well. During this time, he formed deep, lasting friendships with the Zambian people and fellow team members, who became like family and brothers and sisters in Christ.

A devoted member of University Church of Christ for over 65 years, Johnny was baptized into Christ as a young man. He served as a Sunday school teacher and deacon. In addition, he served as a board member for Abilene Christian Schools, West Texas Rehabilitation Center, Boy Scouts Texas Trails Council, and the Zambia Mission Fund. For decades, Dr. Johnny volunteered as a dentist for the Christian Service Center. He was a proud Life Member of the Texas Dental Association and Life Member of the Safari Club International. The Boy Scouts of America awarded him the Silver Beaver Award for a lifetime of distinguished service in scouting.

Above all else, Johnny’s greatest joy was his large and loving family, with whom he shared countless memories, lessons, stories, and laughter. Nothing delighted him more than being “Papa John” to Levi, Scarlett, Holden, and Hannah. He cherished every moment with them-spoiling them regularly, loving them fiercely, and adoring each of their unique personalities. His children and grandchildren will remember him as their leader, their rock, and their constant source of strength and love. Papa John created memories filled with joy that will last for generations.

Johnny is survived by his wife of 52 years, Angela Clovis Estes; his children John Levi Estes IV and wife Shaylee; Gwin Estes Huey and husband Ryan; and James William Estes; his grandchildren John Levi Estes V, Scarlett June Estes, Holden John Huey, and Hannah Linn Huey; his mother Melba June Linn Estes; his siblings Jill Estes Bailey, Jane Estes Weatherbee, and Jay Linn Estes and wife Martha; his uncle Word Estes; and numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, Dr. John L. Estes, Jr.

Memorials may be made to Zambia Medical Mission Dr. John L. Estes III Memorial Scholarship, PO Box 3393 Abilene, Texas 79604 www.zambiamission.org/estes or to Abilene Christian Schools, 2550 North Judge Ely Blvd., Abilene, Texas, 79601.

Pallbearers will be David Todd Bailey, Jr., Will Bailey, Ben Bailey, Jay Tindol, Tyson Tindol, Jody Gerngross, Christian Creech, Alfredo Vasquez, and Nathan Mitchell. Honorary pallbearers will be the Estes family cousins.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 2, 2025, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut Street, Abilene, Texas.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 3, 2025, at 11:00am at University Church of Christ, Abilene, Texas. The Estes family has requested Texas dress attire for the funeral service. In tribute to Johnny, please join them in honoring his memory by wearing your finest boots and cowboy hats.

Interment will be at the Estes Family Cemetery in Clyde, Texas.