NATICK: Gordon Estes, age 59, a lifelong Natick resident, died on Thursday night, March 10, 2016, at Tufts Medical Center, after many years of poor health.
Born in Framingham, he was a son of the Alexander E. and Ruth I. (Caldwell) Estes. Gordon was a 1977 graduate of Natick High School and joined the Army National Guard the following year.
Gordon was employed for several years as a function coordinator, first with the Hampton Inn and later with the Crowne Plaza Hotel, both in Natick. While with the National Guard in 1988, Gordon, then a Sergeant, suffered a traumatic physical event which left him incapacitated. The recipient of a donor heart the following year, he was thereafter devoted to promoting organ donation and advocating for those in need of transplants. He was honored to be invited to the United States Postal Service’s unveiling of the Organ Donor Stamp in 1998. A photograph of this event remained prominently displayed in his home. Gordon also remained an active member of both the Newton Lodge of Elks #1327 and Newton American Legion Post 440.
He is survived by his brother, Norman Estes, with whom he lived. Gordon was predeceased by his parents and a sister, Rosemary Estes.
His funeral will be in the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street at Natick Common, on Friday, March 18th at 11:00AM. Burial will be private.
Visiting hours will be Thursday, 5:00 - 7:00 P.M. Donations in Gordon’s memory to the Transplant Recipients International Organization, Inc., 13705 Currant Loop, Gainesville, VA 20155-3031, would be appreciated.