Raymond Wesley Estes, age 69, of Aurora, IL passed away at home after fighting cancer for five months and a stroke 3 weeks prior, with Judy, Ben and his Aurora family at his side, on February 11, 2014. He was born October 23, 1944 in Springfield, IL, the son of William H. and Virginia L. nee Fallkner Estes. He proudly served his country as a Lance Corporal in the U.S. Marines during two tours during the Vietnam conflict from 1963 to 1967 and after serving, he always said "FREEDOM – Don't take it for granted." He was a lifetime member of the Tiger Club, and worked seventeen years as an engineering tech at Copley hospital. After his retirement in 2004, he loved gardening and planting many rose bushes and butterfly gardens for Judy. He loved his family and friends and will be missed by all. He is survived by his life companion Judy Lequire of Aurora, IL, son Kenneth (Autumn) Estes of Brighton, CO, grandchildren Mallorie and Ryan Estes of Brighton, CO, friend and nephew Ben Lequire of Aurora, IL, his Aurora family son Rene (Cristina) Vazquez, grandchildren Jose, Yuleidi and Angel Vasquez, his poker playing friends, Lou Leifheit, Pete Roberts, Mike Paganoni, Blair Tanaka, Jose Medueskas, Ben Lequire and his beloved pets Dachshund, Oscar and orange cat Sunny and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and his best friend Gerald Soenke. The family would like to thank Season's Hospice of Naperville, Copley Hospital Cancer Center and to a nurse Ben Lequire who helped Ray through his sickness. Visitation will be from 4:00PM to 8:00 PM Friday, February 14, 2014 and Saturday, February 15, 2014 from 10:00 AM until service time of 11:00 AM at the DUNN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME with CREMATORY, 1801 S. Douglas Road, Oswego, IL 60543. Burial will follow at Lincoln Memorial Park cemetery in Aurora, IL. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675 or any veteran's organization of your choice. For information: 630/554-3888.