Greg Estes
Greg Estes, 68, of Winchester, Kentucky, passed away on August 11, 2025 after a long
fight with Dementia.
Greg was born on July 9, 1957, in Winchester, Kentucky, the son of Paul Estes & Marie
Griggs Estes.
Greg graduated from George Rogers Clark High School in 1975 & then enlisted in the
Marine Corps, where he served as Military Police.
Greg married Debbie Ritchie on August 6, 1982, at his parent’s home with Cova Duvall
officiating. Greg & Debbie were married for 23 years where they built a loving home for
their two daughters Jessica Estes Charles & Emily Estes Norris. Together, they were
active members of Calvary Christian Church & a foundational part of their family of
believers. Greg led Bible studies, supported the college-age ministry, & participated in
mission trips, sharing his deep knowledge of end-times & modern-day cults through
countless small groups.
Greg later went on to marry Betsey June Tabor on February 1, 2008 in Mount Sterling,
Kentucky. He gained three supportive step-children & a crew of grandchildren to
embrace. Together, Greg & Betsey built a life of enjoyment where they loved sitting on
the porch waving at neighbors, playing with their dog Sadie Marie, eating Betsey’s
homecooked meals & desserts, & buying presents for their children & grandchildren.
Betsey served as his caregiver as his dementia grew worse & lavished him with love
until the day she went to be with the Lord on December 24, 2024.
Greg followed in his father’s footsteps, working at Clark Energy as an Electrical
Lineman for much of his life.
Greg was a 3 rd degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do & a 3 rd degree black belt in Shaolin,
which he intertwined into his mixed form of martial arts he coined “ShaoKwon”. He
taught martial arts & self defense classes for many years & prided himself in the ability
to do the splits & break concrete blocks into his late adult years. He was the strongest
man his daughters have ever known, both physically & mentally. He provided a loving &
supportive environment even in the worst of days.
He enjoyed riding motorcycles & tinkering on electronics; proudly combining these
passions to custom build three motorcycles independently. He was very handy & built
two of his homes himself, from blueprint to completion. But nothing gave him more
pleasure than to laugh with friends & family, reminiscing over a campfire or kitchen
table.
Some of his family’s favorite memories of Greg include watching him play air hockey
with his brother so intensely that their knuckles were bleeding; remembering him do a
graceful karate tuck & roll every time he began to fall, even into old age; listening to
Pink Floyd with him in his garage as he worked on motorcycles, seeing his eyes light up
as he laughed at Mamaw Estes stories; & helping him carry furniture in & out of houses
as he moved & helped friends move so often it felt like a part-time job.
Remaining to cherish Greg’s memories are children: Jessica Estes (Paul) Charles,
Maddox & Miles; Emily Estes Norris, Shaun, Eryah, Nehemiah, Hezekiah, Jehu, & Titus;
Laura Tabor (Robert) Montgomery, Tabor, Kristion, Alex, Becca, Levi, Isaac, Baylee,
Hudson, Parker, & Chloe; Johnathan (April) Tabor, Justin & Ella; & Clinton “Bub”
(Megan) Tabor, Lily, Katie, Charlee, & Woodford. Brother along with nieces & nephews:
Paul (Rita) Estes, Rachael (Marc) Dail, Angela (Cory) Fontenot, Felicia (Kevin) Rilke,
Suzi (Josh) Mullins, Jim (Stephanie) Pasley, and countless additional friends & family
members he cherished.
Preceding Greg in death are Wife: Betsey Estes, Parents: Paul & Marie Estes, Sister:
Jennifer Pasley, Grandparents: Everett & Minnie Estes, & Clifford & Lilly Griggs, & many
dear aunts, uncles, & cousins.
Visitation will be held on August 15 th from 4-5:30pm at Calvary Christian Church Mt.
Carmel Campus at 3455 Wades Mill Rd, Winchester Ky 40391, with Paul Estes
officiating the funeral immediately following visitation.