Jerald Marvin Estis was born in Jane, Missouri, on October 18, 1934, to Erma Aline Reed Estis and Cleo Warner Estis. He was their firstborn son.
In the spring of 1936, Jerry and his parents moved from Joplin, Missouri, to the Estis Ranch on Waugh Mountain, which is 16 miles north of Cotopaxi. He lived on the ranch with his parents and brother Tom until 1949, when the family moved to Cotopaxi into the home they had built close to town so he and his brother could attend Cotopaxi School. He attended Cotopaxi school from first through 12th grade, and as a sophomore in high school, he became a board member for the Cotopaxi Church, where he served as a deacon from 1950 to 2010. In 1952, he began working for the Fremont County Road and Bridge crew for three years until he was called to the Army in 1955 by Uncle Sam in the draft.
While in the Army, Jerry served two years, mostly stationed in Germany, where he was part of the American Rifle Team. Jerry was an excellent marksman, and in the world competition, he and his team won the World Championship against all NATO countries – Go USA!
After his discharge from the Army, Jerry returned to Cotopaxi, where he resumed his service on the Cotopaxi Church board and his job with the Fremont Road and Bridge, which was held for him during his service away. In 1960, he married the love of his life, Sharon Church, with whom he had three daughters, Twila (Darell Geroux), Toloa (Jerry Pearl), and Treva (Willie Dominguez), which led to nine beautiful, smart grandkids and 20 great-grandkids.
In 1963, he began work with the Colorado state highway system, maintaining west Highway 50 for 25 years until his medical retirement due to wounds received in a motorcycle accident. On August 1, 1985, at the age of 50, his life took a sudden turn when he and Sharon were struck by an oncoming vehicle while returning from vacation on their motorcycle. Due to the wounds he sustained in the accident, he was forced into medical retirement. His remaining years, from age 50 – 90, were spent living with and overcoming the injuries that occurred during that accident.
In addition to his primary employment, he was an expert carpenter, crafting custom homes, custom furniture, and personalized cabinetry after hours and on weekends. He enjoyed crafting unique items for his grandchildren, such as wooden knives, slingshots, ping pong ball guns, and the like. He enjoyed reloading ammo, driving fast cars, hunting, and attending auctions; and he was a connoisseur of good food, particularly favoring sirloin steak. In addition to the church board, his service to the community included two terms on the Cotopaxi School board and 10 times on the election board for the Sangre de Cristo Electric Coop. He remained a member of Cotopaxi Church until he passed on December 14.
Jerry made many important decisions, but the most significant decision of his life was welcoming Jesus into his heart at an early age, thus setting the stage for lifelong service to Jesus Christ. His second most important decision was his marriage to Sharon, the love of his life, and service to his family. His family was his treasure; he often declared himself the richest man on earth, “richer than Elon Musk,” he would say, valuing his wife, daughters, sons-in-law, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Above all, he prayed fervently for the salvation of each family member, focusing on eternal life with Jesus as the ultimate goal. Jerry was the epitome of kindness, strength, moral character, and integrity, always leading by example rather than words.
Jerry quoted this scripture often: Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
The 40 years following his motorcycle accident were physically and mentally trying, to say the least. He lived in constant pain and struggle, and without his faith in God and the constant service and excellent care of his wife, Sharon, the difficulties would have been impossible and would have taken a lesser man out many times. Although his physical life in his later years was defined by the physical difficulties he endured, his spiritual and emotional life was enriched daily by his family and friends. He loved the visits from friends, who stopped in daily for long conversations and to assist with simple tasks around his home. He loved telling stories of life on his ranch and life with his wife, kids, and grandkids, often bragging, like a grandpa can, on the exploits and shenanigans of his grandkids.
Funeral services were held on Friday, December 20, at the Cotopaxi Church. Graveside services were held with a Military Honor Guard Salute.