Jim Estelle was a friend of corrections and CPOF. He was an active participant in working to preserve the history of corrections with a National Correctional Museum. His career was distinguished and his legacy was unmatched spanning from California to Montana and then Texas. Join us in keeping his family in your thoughts and prayers.
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W. J. “Jim” Estelle, Jr.
March 31, 1931 – February 13, 2025
Ward James Estelle, Jr. was born March 31, 1931 to Ward James Estelle and Maxine Brenneman Estelle in Henry Co., Indiana. His parents moved Jim and his sister D’Anne to Whittier, CA in 1933. Twin brothers Walter and Wayne were born there. Ward Sr. transferred with CDC to San Quentin Prison where Jim attended a two-room school and graduated eighth grade in a class of three students. The next move was to Represa for his father’s job at Folsom State Prison.
Jim graduated from San Juan High School in 1949. He served as student body president and played varsity football, in addition to showing prizewinning Duroc pigs at the State Fair. In 1950, Jim began college at UC Davis and married his high school sweetheart, Marilyn Jones. They celebrated their 74th anniversary in September 2024. He finished his degree in 1955 at Sacramento State College.
His career in Corrections began in 1952 at Folsom State Prison. He transferred to Paroles in 1955 for five years and then returned to uniform at CA Medical Facility, Vacaville. He quickly promoted to Associate Superintendent at Susanville CCC. An opportunity to be Warden at Montana State Prison came in 1970. In 1972, he was recruited to Texas and became Director of the Texas Department of Corrections for twelve years before retiring. For three years he was president of the First National Bank, South in Huntsville, TX before returning to California. There he was manager of the Prison Industry Authority in Folsom until he retired in 1991. TDC named a new prison in Huntsville the W.J. Estelle Unit in 1995. He was honored with the ACA’s Cass Correctional Achievement Award and two fellowships to the Aspen Institute. The Texas Sheriffs Association named Jim an Honorary Sheriff and the Texas Rangers honored him with Ranger status and have him in their Hall of Fame.
After retirement, Jim focused on volunteer work including Friends Care, several years of service with the El Dorado County Grand Jury and decades of work with the General Service Office, serving them as Chairman in a four year term. In addition to his successful career, Jim was an avid hunter and hiker. He hiked to the top of Mt. Lassen, Mt. Shasta and Mt. Whitney. He enjoyed fishing trips and traveling.
At the age of 93, he passed peacefully on February 13, 2025. He is survived by his wife Marilyn of El Dorado Hills; his son Ward James III and Ward’s partner Mary Scott who reside in Ashland, OR; his daughter Lorraine Susan who lives in Redlands, CA; his daughter Linda Diane of Sacramento, CA; as well as many nieces and nephews.