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Sean Brian Estes
Sean Brian Estes, 61, of Kill Devil Hills, NC, passed away due to natural causes in Norfolk, VA on Saturday, March 29, 2025. Sean was called to the Outer Banks of North Carolina at a young age, where he dedicated himself to contributing to the community’s growth and prosperity. Sean’s love for the islands’ natural beauty and the tranquility of Nags Heads Woods inspired him to build his dream home there. Sean was well known for his passion for designing and constructing homes with distinctive custom features, which can be admired from Ocracoke to Carova.
Sean moved to the Outer Banks after spending his childhood living in different locations around the world while his father was an officer in the United States Navy. Sean discovered his passion for building when he relocated to the Outer Banks at the age of 16. This new environment sparked his interest and led him to pursue his love for construction and building with his hands.
Sean has framed hundreds of homes throughout the Outer Banks starting in the 80’s and was instrumental in the growth and development of the area. He also remodeled and moved the Pea Island Lighthouse Keepers residence which has kept Oregon Inlet boaters safe for years.
One of his greatest joys in life was to help encourage and mentor the youth through baseball and softball, for over 20 years. You could always find him coaching at a nearby ballpark, delving into history through documentaries or movies, or playing chess and enjoying a good Grateful Dead song while drinking a Coca-Cola.
Those who knew Sean will remember him for his infectious smile and his “right on” or “alright, alright” catch phrases, and his unwavering commitment to spreading love and kindness to everyone he encountered. He had a rare gift for making others smile and laugh, leaving a lasting impact on all who crossed his path.
Sean is survived by his family members which include his loving wife of 33 years, Angie; his five children, Allison Woodard (Ryan), Sean Martin, Brian Estes (Danielle), Isabel Estes (Garrett) and Genevieve Estes. As well as his two grandchildren, Kallie and River Woodard and his sister, Julie Estes, and mother-in-law, Ursula Cortez, along with many other relatives and friends. Sean is preceded in death by his father and mother, Brian and Roberta Estes, and his daughter, Michelle Estes.
Estes
May flowers always line your path and sunshine light your day.
May songbirds serenade you every step along the way.
May a rainbow run beside you in a sky that’s always blue.
And may happiness fill your heart each day your whole life through
– Irish Blessing
To honor Sean’s wishes, there will be no formal service. The family plan to hold a celebration of life at a later date. We invite you to privately celebrate Sean’s life in your own ways and play a Grateful Dead song in his memory. In lieu of flowers, you can donate to a charity of your choosing. Please leave a message of comfort at gallopfuneralservices.com.
Condolences
Angie &family. My condolences to you guys. Sean was a wonderful smart man. I’m sure that he is in heaven “point’n and wink’n “ Godspeed, Brien
angie and family i am so sorry for your loss i know how you feel saying many prayers for you and your family
Sending my condolences. Sean was a great guy, and I was fortunate to have been able to work with him.
I am Truly Sorry to hear and see this. Sean was an Awesome man and builder. I’ve know and worked around him for over 30 years. He could be hard sometimes and nice as hell the next. He was Always nice to me and very thoughtful. He will be missed by many and his crew and family. I’ll probably always look for that white van with the dashboard covered in plans.
My deepest sympathies for the Estes family. I’m so sorry for your loss.
I was fortunate to have Sean as a baseball coach off and on throughout my youth while on teams with Brian. Sean would show up after working all day on the jobsite and throw us batting practice for hours on hot summer evenings, smiling and laughing the entire time. Nothing but gratitude for Sean and the time he spent with us. Condolences to the entire family.
May Allah grant Sean eternal peace and grant you patience and solace during this time of loss, for my dear’s friend father may Allah gives you comfort, rest in peace.
Angie so sorry for your loss - Sean was real good Man - keeping you and Family in my prayers 🙏🙏🙏
Love to you Angie and family. So, so many fond memories of Sean.
Thanks so much for sharing these wonderful thoughts of a man I wish we had known. You have an amazing family.
Such a great guy and old time friend, long time no sea, but Sean will always be remembered as a great guy & a great carpenter. Rest in Peace brother. Kevin
Man oh man, what a great guy…I was so very fortunate to have worked with Sean, beginning in 1999-such a solid and integrity based gentleman! A joy to be around, his infectious spirit and love of life provided those lucky enough to have known him with a guaranteed smile.I can still hear his signature goofy grinning growl-in addition to the two mentioned in his obituary, I was especially fond of his “das right” affirmation 🤩Sean even managed to remain a happy guy while being hooked on a pump-jack.”Damn, Luke! I was hooked on that thing like a big ol’ tuna!!”Wow..such a wonderful fellow, God gift wrapped Sean for us! Let us all be thankful for the blessing of knowing such a man…
Saddened to hear of Sean's passing. He was a great guy, and a building industry lion. He was good at what he did, and loved doing it. The times are changing, we've lost another talented, and respected man in this community. He's missed already. May God rest his soul, and make him whole again. Thank you Sean, enjoyed our time very much.
Knew Sean from West Springfield. I spent a few summers, 81 and 82, at the beach but ended up back in VA. Stopped by their house frequently for many years - life got on and then it was 20 years later. 100% I could of made an unannounced visit and he would of invited me in, handed me a cold one and whipped up some food with smile on his face. Rest in peace buddy. PR
Our sincere condolences to all of Sean's family. Although far away, the times we've been able to gather together, were always filled with great family memories. God will love having Sean in heaven.
Angie &family. My condolences to you guys. Sean was a wonderful smart man. I’m sure that he is in heaven “point’n and wink’n “ Godspeed, Brien
angie and family i am so sorry for your loss i know how you feel saying many prayers for you and your family
Sending my condolences. Sean was a great guy, and I was fortunate to have been able to work with him.
I am Truly Sorry to hear and see this. Sean was an Awesome man and builder. I’ve know and worked around him for over 30 years. He could be hard sometimes and nice as hell the next. He was Always nice to me and very thoughtful. He will be missed by many and his crew and family. I’ll probably always look for that white van with the dashboard covered in plans.
My deepest sympathies for the Estes family. I’m so sorry for your loss.
I was fortunate to have Sean as a baseball coach off and on throughout my youth while on teams with Brian. Sean would show up after working all day on the jobsite and throw us batting practice for hours on hot summer evenings, smiling and laughing the entire time. Nothing but gratitude for Sean and the time he spent with us. Condolences to the entire family.
May Allah grant Sean eternal peace and grant you patience and solace during this time of loss, for my dear’s friend father may Allah gives you comfort, rest in peace.
Angie so sorry for your loss – Sean was real good Man – keeping you and Family in my prayers 🙏🙏🙏
Love to you Angie and family. So, so many fond memories of Sean.
Thanks so much for sharing these wonderful thoughts of a man I wish we had known. You have an amazing family.
Such a great guy and old time friend, long time no sea, but Sean will always be remembered as a great guy & a great carpenter. Rest in Peace brother. Kevin
Man oh man, what a great guy…I was so very fortunate to have worked with Sean, beginning in 1999-such a solid and integrity based gentleman! A joy to be around, his infectious spirit and love of life provided those lucky enough to have known him with a guaranteed smile.I can still hear his signature goofy grinning growl-in addition to the two mentioned in his obituary, I was especially fond of his “das right” affirmation 🤩Sean even managed to remain a happy guy while being hooked on a pump-jack.”Damn, Luke! I was hooked on that thing like a big ol’ tuna!!”Wow..such a wonderful fellow, God gift wrapped Sean for us! Let us all be thankful for the blessing of knowing such a man…
Saddened to hear of Sean’s passing. He was a great guy, and a building industry lion. He was good at what he did, and loved doing it.
The times are changing, we’ve lost another talented, and respected man in this community. He’s missed already.
May God rest his soul, and make him whole again. Thank you Sean, enjoyed our time very much.
Knew Sean from West Springfield. I spent a few summers, 81 and 82, at the beach but ended up back in VA. Stopped by their house frequently for many years – life got on and then it was 20 years later. 100% I could of made an unannounced visit and he would of invited me in, handed me a cold one and whipped up some food with smile on his face. Rest in peace buddy.
PR
Our sincere condolences to all of Sean’s family. Although far away, the times we’ve been able to gather together, were always filled with great family memories. God will love having Sean in heaven.