Elliott Robert Estes, 69, passed away at home in Waldport in the arms of his devoted wife on Friday, August 9 . He was a warrior in the eyes of his family as he battled liver cancer this past year.

Elliott was born July 30, 1944 in Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia to an American Soldier and an Australian war bride, Arvin and Ray (Gorman) Estes. Two years later, in 1946, Elliott sailed with his mother to the United States to meet his father for the first time. He grew up in Warrenton, Oregon in the family home his father built.

For over 30 years, Elliott worked for the Oregon University System, first at Portland State University where he met Dale (his wife of 22 precious years), and then at Oregon Institute of Technology in Klamath Falls. He retired from OIT as their Facilities Manager in 2001, and began construction of the couple’s Oregon Coast home which he designed himself.

Elliott and Dale shared a great love of God and family (his grandchildren held a very special place in his heart). Some of their most joyous times were spent with family. They loved to travel and were able to celebrate their 20th anniversary by cruising to Alaska, a long-time dream. Elliott enjoyed puttering about in his workshop, landscaping their property, and caring for their home. He built a pond at each of the three homes in which they lived. Many would say Elliott had an interesting sense of humor, and he shared it with everyone he could. At home, a familiar sight was Elliott resting in his recliner, working a crossword puzzle, with a kitty on his lap.

For the last 10 years, Elliott volunteered once a week at the Oregon Coast Aquarium, sharing his knowledge and humor with visitors, young and old. He also was a volunteer docent at the Heceta Lightkeeper’s house where he loved to talk to visitors about the history of the house and keepers’ families. His great grandfather was one of the first lighthouse keepers in Australia; perhaps this was Elliott’s way of carrying on the family tradition.

His last weeks on earth were filled with love and special times; with so much support from family and friends. He is survived by his beloved wife Dale, his three dear daughters, Tami Murrain (her husband Eugene, their children Tia, Kalene, and J.J.), Lisa Estes, and Bethany Vermaas (her husband Steve Bagley, their children Kyler, Alexa, Skily, and Makayla), his brother Forrest “Allen” Estes, sister Gayle Whitney-Welch (her husband Dave), and in Australia, his aunt Una MacPherson.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1:00 pm Saturday, August 24 at Waldport Community Presbyterian Church. He will be laid to rest at Oceanview Cemetery in Warrenton, OR. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Oregon Coast Aquarium, Attn: Jennifer Locklear, 2820 SE Ferry Slip Rd., Newport. Or 97365 or the American Cancer Society.