Mark Allen Estes

Mark Allen Estes, 67, of Louisville, Kentucky entered into Heaven on May 17, 2023.

Mark was born on November 4, 1955, in Louisville, Kentucky to Joseph Richard Estes, Sr. and Helen Frances Estes.

Mark Estes was a kind, outgoing, and Godly man born into a large Christian family in the 1950's. With an older sister, two older brothers before him, and another baby brother on the way not long after him, Mark's family was a perfect example of a baby boomer family. Large, tight knit, and long lasting. His youngest years were defined by international travel, his father being a Christian Missionary, Mark although born in Louisville Kentucky, grew up speaking German in kindergarten and elementary school while his family lived in Switzerland. They stayed there for 3 years, before moving back to Louisville in 1963, and then to Atlanta in 1965. In Atlanta, Mark would make some of his first lifelong friends, including David Adams, his best friend of 58 years. In 1971, his family would move again, to DeLand Florida, where Mark would play as a lineman for his high school's football team, shooting up to a height of over 6 feet tall. This is where he would meet his first wife and high school sweetheart, Suzanne. Deciding to drop out of high school, Mark married and then not long after moved to Panama City with Suzanne to raise their first child Josh. There he would work hard labor jobs, including working at a steel mill to provide for his growing family. Determined to not let his choice to drop out of high school define his life, he went to night school, and after graduating, moved his family to Hammond, Indiana, so that he could attend Hyles-Anderson College, where he would then graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Theology. He would have two more children with Suzanne, Sarah, and Nathan, before they eventually separated, something that would weigh heavy on him for a time. Hammond being close to Illinois, Mark had visited there with his college, and even preached on the streets of Chicago, partially inspiring him to move there for a time. After living in Chicago, he would then move back to Louisville, to be with his parents, and close to his brothers, who had all moved back to Kentucky. There he would meet his second wife Kara, and have his fourth child and third son, Jordan. During this time, he would follow in his father's footsteps, pastoring several churches across Louisville and even one in Frankfort, making trips there each weekend. He was a great speaker and was very proud to become a preacher like his father. After 20 or so years of friendship and marriage, Mark would eventually separate with Kara as well, but maintained a strong relationship with their son Jordan, and stayed in Louisville. Feeling lost for a time, Mark would eventually meet his third and final wife Jo Dee, who would be with him until his passing. With her he gained a whole new family, and they both felt very rewarded by the time they had together. They had six wonderful years of memories together and with their grandkids who loved him so much.

Mark was an outgoing and kind person, wanting to help those that some often forget. He had a strong compassion for the elderly and the disadvantaged, and for those struggling with addiction. After being a pastor, he would still get the chance to preach at many churches, and would often help with his church's addiction programs, as well as the bus ministry, picking up those that couldn't get to church any other way every Sunday morning. He was also an experienced salesman, becoming an insurance broker to make ends meet while he pastored churches, he would frequently visit and befriend his elderly clients to sell them life insurance, something he was also very proud of. He also enjoyed helping people marry, even officiating the marriage of two of his own children, Sarah and Josh. He was a kind, gentle, and loving person who would always make people feel welcome and greeted everyone with a smile. He lived a holy life, one defined by the love he had for his family, for God, and for all those that he treated like family. He will be dearly missed and remembered, and will continue to inspire the hearts he's touched, never forgotten.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Joseph Richard Estes, Jr., David Timothy Estes; and sister, Katherine Ann Estes Wilkerson.

Mark is survived by his wife, Jo Dee Estes; children, Joshua Mark Estes (Breanne), Sarah Marie Phillips (Galdahad), Nathaniel Allen Estes, and Jordan Caleb Estes; grandchildren, Jack, Austin, Katie, Kayla, Isabella, Jordan, Weslie, Jackson, Jonas, and Justin; brother, Jonathan Philip Estes (Marilyn); sister-in-law (wife of David Timothy), Carol Hatfield Estes; brother-in-law (Husband of Katherine), Charles Wilkerson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm Thursday, May 25, 2023 at Lyndon Independent Baptist Church (1628 Roosevelt Ave, Lyndon, KY 40242). His Funeral Ceremony will be the next day at 10:00 am at the church with burial to follow at Floydsburg Cemetery in Crestwood, KY.

Memorial contributions in Mark's memory may be made to Lyndon Independent Baptist Church.

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