He was born Feb. 29, 1924, in Coal Grove, Ohio, and came to this area in 1987 from Springfield, Ohio. He was an aircraft mechanic and electronic technician with Wright-Patterson U.S. Air Force Base. He was also past master of the Masonic Lodge No. 455, Ohio Chapter Eigth Air Force Historical Society, American Legion Post No. 526, Past Worthy Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star, member of the First United Church of Christ — all in Ohio. He was a member of the VFW Post No. 10476 in Rotonda West and the BPO Elks Lodge No. 2378 in Englewood.
He was a veteran and prisoner of war in World War II serving in the U.S. Air Force.
He is survived by his son, James, III of Port Charlotte; daughter, Carol (Jim) Alexander of Evergreen, Colo.; two sisters, Marjorie Mattfeld of Bridgewater, Va., and Irene Mustard of Springfield, Ohio; four grandchildren, Benjamin (Jenn), Jonathan (Sarah), Christopher (Kelli) and Jennifer; and three great grandchildren, Rhoan, Christian and Nathaniel. He was predeceased in 2007 by his wife, Virginia.
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James C. Estep Jr.
