Ronald I. Estep, 76, of Bluff City, passed away on Saturday, November 12, 2016, at Johnson City Medical Center following an extended illness. A native of Carter County, he was the son of the late Marshall “Pete” Estep and Pauline Donnelly Estep. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a grandson, Joshua Estep.
Ronald was a United States Army veteran and was a former truck driver and a former employee of Bemberg. He retired from North American Rayon Corporation. He was a member of Bunker Hill Christian Church and a member of the American Legion in Bluff City. Ronald was an avid fisherman and loved hunting, gardening and lawn care.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 51 years, Mabel Perry Estep, of the home; two daughters, Connie Hyder and husband, Larry, Elizabethton, and Melissa Thompson, Bluff City; two sons, Marty Estep and wife, Joyce, Jonesborough, and Dennis Estep, Elizabethton; a brother, Richard “Dick” Donnelly and wife, Charlotte, Elizabethton; two grandchildren, Taylor Thompson and Whitney Hyder, both of Elizabethton; one great-grandchild, Zoie Miller, Elizabethton; a niece, Vickie; a nephew, James; several other nieces and nephews; and his dog, Bella.
A service to honor the life of Ronald I. Estep will be conducted at 7 p.m. Wednesday, November 16, in the Chapel of Peace of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, with Mr. Ernie Depew, minister, officiating. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, prior to the funeral, or at the residence at other times. The graveside service and interment will be conducted at noon on Thursday, November 17, at the Jones Cemetery in Bluff City. Active pallbearers will be Bobby Eggers, Stacey McMillan, Conley Perry, Doug Perry, Willie Phipps and Rex Pendergrass. Honorary pallbearers will be Gene Carrier, Vaughn Carrier, Lawrence Perry, Moe Simerly and Lawrence Hodge. Everyone will meet at 11:15 a.m. Thursday at Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, to go in procession to the cemetery. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Fresenius Dialysis Center and Karing Hearts Cardiology for the love and care shown to Ronald during his illness. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to the family. Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com.
Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, is serving the Estep family. Office: (423) 542-2232. Obituary Line: (423) 543-4917.