James Allen Estell 1921 - 2015
LENEXA, KANSAS - James Allen Estell, 94, formerly of Cameron, Mo., died while napping on December 31, 2015, at Lakeview Village Retirement Community in Lenexa, Kansas. Always the accountant, it can only be presumed that he died on the last day of the year to simplify his final tax return.
Jim was born on August 24, 1921, on a farm in Adair County, Iowa. He was the third child and second son of Frank and Bonnie (Smith) Estell, all now deceased. He was a 1939 graduate of Zion High School, Zion, Iowa, and attended Capital City Commercial College in Des Moines, Iowa. He served in the U.S. Army in 1943-1946.
On March 8, 1944, he married Delores Burns whom he first met at Zion High School. They were married for 67 years until her death in 2011. They had three sons, Don, Barry, and Bryan. The family moved to Cameron, Mo., in 1959, where Jim was employed by Cameron Mutual Insurance Company from which he retired in 1986 as Executive Vice President and Treasurer. He and Delores also owned and operated the Cameron Greenhouse from 1969-1980. Jim was active in the Cameron community, serving as president of the Cameron Chamber of Commerce and on the Cameron City Council. He was Citizen of the Year in 1982.
A 50-year Freemason, he served as Worshipful Master of Vincil Lodge #62 in Cameron, was a member of the Scottish Rite, Valley of St. Joseph, and was an active Shriner serving as Potentate of Moila Shrine Temple in 1980.
Jim was preceded in death by Delores and oldest son, Don. He is survived by Don’s wife, Linda, Brentwood, Mo.; and sons, Barry, and wife, Jan (McCord), Mission, Kansas; and Bryan, and his wife, Beth (Kemper), Spring, Texas. The sons and their wives added joy to his life with five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
At his request, Jim’s body was cremated.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., with a Masonic Service scheduled at 6 p.m., on January 15, at Brown Funeral Home, Cameron, Mo.
The family suggests the Moila Shrine Center Transportation Fund as a memorial, 701 N. Noyes Blvd., St. Joseph, MO 64506. Transporting children to the Shriner’s crippled children’s facilities and burn units was a special project to Jim.
Online condolences: www.bramfuneralservices.com
