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Henry Ralph Estle Jr. , Age: 79
August 22, 1944 - January 07, 2024
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Sergeant First Class Henry Ralph Estle, Jr. (U.S. Army, Retired)
 
Henry Ralph Estle, Jr., a proud Veteran of the U.S. Army, age 79, passed
away January 7, 2024 in his home in Lacey, Washington as a result of
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). He was cared for and
surrounded by family and will be deeply missed.
 
Henry, also known as Ted, was born August 22, 1944 in Oneonta, New
York, to Blanche Elizabeth (Bacon) Calcaterra and Henry Estle. In 1962
he met his wife, Sylvia Gail (Watkins) Estle, in Columbia, South Carolina
and they married on February 2, 1963. Together they had two
daughters, Tina Marie Estle and Laura Jean Estle.
 
Henry’s 21 year-long military career began November of 1961 at Fort
Jackson, South Carolina. He retired at Fort Polk/Johnson, Louisiana in February of 1982. He
was with the 199 th Infantry Brigade - Redcatchers HHC 2/3 rd from 1969-1970 while on tour
during the Vietnam War. His decorations, medals, badges and campaign ribbons awarded are
the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Bronze
Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal (30LC) Overseas service bars (2), Vietnam Cross of
Gallantry with palm (2nd award), Good Conduct Medal (6 th award), Army Service Ribbon,
Overseas Service Ribbon (2).
 
He continued his career in food service working at a local Steakhouse and then gravitated his
way back to serving the fighting men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces as a Project
Manager with Cantu Services at Fort Polk/Johnson, LA until he retired in 2010. After retirement
he enjoyed working in the yard, playing cards with his friends, traveling and spending time with
family.
 
Those left to cherish his memories include his wife of 60 years, Sylvia, his two daughters, Tina
and Laura, his brother John “Jack” (Judy) Calcaterra of Wilmington, Delaware, his four
grandchildren, David and John Estle-Jewell, Courtney (Brown) McConnell and Christopher
Brown and his eight great-grandchildren, Cadence, Aaron, and Alannah Estle-Jewell of Salmon,
ID., Ryan and Hailey McConnell of Adna, WA and Jasper and Ezrah Brown and Timothy Klahn
of Lacey, WA.
 
He is preceded in death by his mother and father and his sister, Barbara Estella (Hart) Estle.
Henry’s memorial service with Military Honors will take place at Central Louisiana Veterans
Cemetery, Leesville, Louisiana at a date to be determined.
 
In lieu of flowers, please consider
donating to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, an organization he has contributed to for many years.
Our family would like to thank the staff of Compassionate Care Hospice team and Providence
SoundHomeCare and Hospice team for their love, grace, wisdom and tenderness.We will
forever be grateful.

Condolences

Robert Lee Bauer Sr SFC retired January 11, 2024

My neighbor and friend Lacey , Washington

I miss my neighbor and friend already. Ted was a great man. A great Soldier.

Retired U.S. Army Billy Broyard January 11, 2024

Had the pleasure of working with him @ Cantu Services Fort Polk / Fort Johnson, La Slidell, Louisiana 70458 , Louisiana

Cantu Services at Fort Polk/Johnson, LA

Brittany Schmidt January 13, 2024

Great Uncle Nekoosa , Wisconsin

RIP, you will be missed. So sorry for everybody's loss.


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