John Worth Estep

SUN CITY WEST - John Worth Estep Jr., age 78, Sun City West, passed on to the Lord in his home after a valiant struggle with cancer on June 16, 2011. John "Jay" was born to the late John and Nola Estep on Dec. 18, 1932, in Ozark, Mo. John was married to Nina Hansen, with whom he had three children; and later married, in 1979, Mary Pickard, who he cherished until his passing. John was a graduate of Everett High School 1951; and served four years in the Navy as electrician winning medals for National Defense, Navy Occupation Service, and Good Conduct. He worked for Pacific Northwest Bell and then Qwest in the Seattle area as an electrical engineer for most of his career until he retired in 1990, and moved to Arizona in 1993. John was a member of the Masons, Elks; volunteered for Neighborhood Watch, Lutheran Thrift shop; and coached softball and basketball. Dad loved bikes, softball, golf, square dancing, socializing, and could always be counted on for a joke. Neighbors depended on him for his fix-it skills, especially electrical. John is survived by his wife, Mary Estep; children, Gail Buol, Jeff Estep, and Bryan Estep; stepchildren Sandy Faulkner, Mike Pickard, and Pat Norgon; grandchildren Chelsea, Jordan, Sierra, Kristi, Jenisa, Andrew, Bethany, Jamie, Jennifer, Sarah; great-grandchildren, Rylin, Kennedy, Joey, Sydney, Kylie, Hunter, Connor, Diva, Kylar, Mia, and Marion; brother, Jack Estep; and sister, Darlene Pomeroy. Preceding John are step-daughter, Linda Southern; and grandson, Tommy. Services were held June 24 at 2 p.m., Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Sun City West. In lieu of flowers, donations in the name of John Estep, Jr. can be made to Hospice of the Valley, www.hov.org.