Gene was born on June 4, 1934, in Louisville, Mississippi, to Andrew Curtis and Ollie Mae Warner Estes. After graduating from Louisville High School, he began his career as a machinist and a self-taught Design Engineer at Taylor Machine Works. He was Assistant Chief Engineer in the Engineering Department and later transferred to the Sales Department finishing his 36-year career as manager of the Parts and Service Department. Gene took early retirement in 1989 from Taylor at the age of 55 and built from the ground up Gene’s Quick Lube facility. The Quick Lube had several special features designed by Gene one of which allowed the waste tank to also be used to walk on while in the pit. Additionally, he owned Louisville Glass Works and two carwash facilities including one that was the first touchless automatic carwash in Louisville. He enjoyed being outdoors especially to duck and deer hunt, as well as fishing. His passion was rebuilding old vehicles; and being mechanically inclined, he was able to repair almost anything, including appliances.
Gene is survived by his loving wife, Patty Miles Estes of Louisville; two daughters, Beth Lipscomb and husband, Larry, of Ellijay, Georgia; and Brigitte Cooper and husband, Thomas; and his step-son, Keith Alexander all of Louisville. He is also survived by his brother, Jerry (Nadine) Estes of Noxapater; and his mother-in-law, Wynell Miles of Louisville. One of his greatest joys was being “PaPaw” to his grandchildren: Stephanie (Josh) Chandler, Candice (Bubba) Cefalu, Kim (Todd) Doolittle, Taylor (Ethan) Hamilton, and Lane Alexander; as well as his eight great-grandchildren: Ava Perez, Lily Perez, Cooper Cefalu, Layla Cefalu, Lynnlee Cefalu, Neely Doolittle, Camryn Doolittle, and Lillie Ruth Hamilton.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Jimmy Estes and Gilbert Estes; and an infant sister, Eloise Estes.
Serving as pallbearers are Keith Alexander, Lane Alexander, Bubba Cefalu, Cooper Cefalu, Todd Doolittle, and Benny Edwards.
Memorials in honor of Gene may be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital online at stjude.org or to Mt. Carmel Cemetery Fund, c/o Noxapater Baptist Church, P.O. Box 251, Noxapater, MS 39346.
