Rufus Jasper "Rufe" ESTES

04 Feb 1879 - 07 Aug 1932

Marriage: 15 Sept 1901 Izard County, Arkansas*

Rufus "Rufe" Jasper Estes husband of Mary Lena (Spurgin) Estes. Rufus "Rufe" Jasper Estes son of John Jasper Estes and Susan Elizabeth (Short) Estes.

**Obituary
Calico Rock Progress 12 Aug 1932

R.J. Estes, Sheriff, Died Sunday Morning

R.J. Estes, Sheriff of Izard County, died at his home in Melbourne, Sunday morning, August 7th, 1932.

Mr. Estes had been in poor health for some time but was not thought to be serious until a short time before his death.

We feel that there was not a man in the county that had more friends than Mr. Estes. There were only a few people in the county who did not know him personally.

Mr. Estes started his career in life when a young man, by establishing a county newspaper at Melbourne, "The Melbourne Times," which he published for several years. He was selected by the people of this county as their County Treasurer in 1920 and served two terms. Later he was elected Sheriff and Collector of the county and was serving his second term at the time of his death.

He was a candidate to succeed himself, the election being only two days after his death, his name remained on the ticket and received the nomination by a large majority.
Mr. Estes performed his duties in office in such a business like and friendly manner that the utmost confidence was placed in him as a neighbor, friend and official. His place will be difficult to fill as an official and as a friend, it cannot be filled.

He is survived by his wife, 2 sons and 4 daughters and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was a member of the Christian Church. His body was laid to rest in the Combs Cemetery, Monday, August 8th 1932.

Funeral services were conducted by Elder W.M. Cooper which was attended by a very large congregation.

Also this article,
Rufus Jasper Estes was the sheriff of Izard Co., AR in 1932. He was up for re-election that year, but he died just a few days before the election was held. It was too late to reprint the ballots, so his name remained on them, and in spite of the voters knowing he had died they re-elected him anyway. He was profiled at least twice for this in "Ripley's Believe It or Not."

NOTE: We do not edit obituaries therefore this note is attached. Per email (May 2022) from a grand-daughter of Mr Estes. He was member of the Church of Christ. Born in 1883

*Cite This Record
"Arkansas, County Marriages, 1837-1957," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NMVH-J2X : 9 March 2021), Rufus Estes, 15 Sep 1901; citing Marriage, Izard, Arkansas, United States, county offices, Arkansas; FHL microfilm 1,290,026.

Contributed on 1/5/13 by sandhollow
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Record #: 806558

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