An Elton man drowned on Memorial Day just off Rutherford Beach along the Gulf of Mexico as his family was on the beach nearby. Cameron Parish Sheriff’s Deputy and Sheriff-elect Chris Savoie said Mark Estes, 58, was going fishing in the jetty area shortly before noon Monday when he was caught in a riptide and sucked under the current near the rocks. Deputies located the body a short time later and first responders attempted to perform life-saving techniques, he said. Despite their best efforts, Estes was pronounced dead at the scene. Estes was an Associate Warden II at the Allen Correctional Center near Kinder.
Associate Warden Mark Earl Estes, 57, was an amazing and loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, and friend. He was a faithful and devoted husband to his wife Janet Cormier Estes for 31 years. Mark was raised with a strong Christian influence and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Basile. He worked very hard as a corrections officer for over 33 years to provide for his family. Mark was an avid outdoorsman and loved to hunt and fish. He loved football and coached softball and basketball when his children were younger and he shared his passion for sports with them. Mark was a 1985 graduate of Basile High School where he played football and was on the wrestling team. He was runner-up to the state champion in 1985 in the 185 lb. class on the wrestling team. Mark was a devoted family man who loved to spend time with his family and enjoyed cooking and Barbecuing for them. He loved and adored his family and cherished every memory he made with them. Mark loved to listen to 80’s and 90’s country music and work in his yard. He was a very kind and caring person who would help anyone in need. Mark will be forever missed and unconditionally loved by all who knew him.
Those left to cherish Mark’s memory include his wife Janet Cormier Estes; three daughters, Amber Jade Estes, Emily Estes Bandeaux and husband Alex, and Sarah Catherine Estes; his parents, Leon Earl, and Lena Montez Estes; one brother, Michael Louis Estes, one sister, Marjeanne Estes; one grandson, Kayden Mark Estes; and a host of nephews, extended family members and friends.
Following his untimely death, CPOF was there to assist his wife with funeral expenses. She sent this lovely card following.
