Memorial service for James Michael " Mike" Estes will be 2:00p.m., Thursday, January 12, 2017 at MMS-Payne Funeral Home Chapel. Mike passed away on Thursday, January 5, 2017 at Integris Baptist Hospital in Oklahoma City, OK.
Mike was born on December 5, 1948 in Nevada, Missouri to Dorothy Louise Estes, and during his infancy, moved to Chelsea, OK, where he resided until his death. He attended Claremore Jr. College and East Central State College, graduating in 1973 with a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Psychology. He utilized his degree working for Tulsa Help Line and Grand Lake Mental Health.He also worked at Credit Bureau of Claremore. Mike was born with a rare degenerative eye disease, and as he grew older, he became partially blind, and later in life, was completely blind.However, he never let his disability hinder his life. He enjoyed swimming, listening to music, riding his horse "Buck", visiting or talking politics with friends and family, and arguing with longtime friend, Kelly Green.
Mike is survived by his two nieces Crystal Estes-Prebble and fiancé Michael Mitchell, and Candy Clinton and husband Joe, all of Claremore, Uncle Albert and wife Sue of Potwin, KS, 7 great-nephews, 6 great-nieces, several cousins, and many other family members and friends. Mike is preceded in death by his mother Dorothy Estes McClure, grandparents, Horace and Edith Estes, and brother, Anthony Brian Estes.