My name is Jon Estes and my family and I have lived in East Dallas for over 20 years. I am married and have two sons, a daughter, and a wonderful rescue dog named Clyde. I also work in East Dallas as a mortgage loan officer and love helping clients buy homes in our community.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I’ve been married for 18 years to my wife Mary who is a CALT and she teaches kids with dyslexia. My daughter is a junior at Ursuline, a son that is a freshman at Bishop Lynch, and a 7th grader at St. Thomas Aquinas.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I am currently a mortgage loan officer and the thing I love most about my job is teaching my clients about all of the mortgage options that are available so that they can make an informed decision that will save them the most money possible!
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
We are truly blessed to have so many great restaurants in East Dallas so it’s hard to choose just a few, but I always frequent the ones whose owners I know and live in the neighborhood. Some of my favorites are Terilli’s, El Vecino, Charlie’s Creole Kitchen, and White Rock Alehouse. I’m sure I missed a few others!
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I’ve lived and worked here for over 20 years.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
There are a ton of places I’d like to go, but one of my consistent favorites is Colorado in August to escape the Texas heat and go hiking and fly fishing!
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Most of my favorite movies focus around ones when I was a child or that my children loved, but if I had to pick a classic it would be The Shawshank Redemption. Growing up Cheers was my favorite TV show and most recently it has been Ted Lasso.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Enjoy life and trust in God.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I really don’t have one, but if I did I’d go skydiving, I’d go Rocky Mountain climbing, I’d go 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fu Manchu!
Q: What is your go-to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
I just recently posted my top 5 albums on Facebook piggybacking off of a segment from The Ticket, but it’s hard to pick just one since it depends on what type of mood I’m in. If I’m mellow and nostalgic it’s Jerry Jeff Walker, if I’m with my boys out at our land it’s Morgan Wallen, with my daughter it’s One Direction since she played that nonstop for years when she was younger and with my wife, it’s Al Green! Also, have to add the OutKast playlist on Spotify when I’m excited!
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Legal Grounds because they had the Dad’s Dad hash and the corn salsa (I miss it!)
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
This sounds sappy, but I would choose my wife and Taco Joint. It’s not fancy, but it’s good! Life is so hectic we never have enough time for just the two of us.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
My favorite thing about East Dallas is White Rock Lake. Almost everyone in the community uses it one way or another and there are several great organizations like the White Rock Conservancy that work hard to make it better!
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
In 10 years we will be empty nesters so it’s hard to imagine, but I would assume we’ll spend time between our home here and our land in East Texas and still helping people with their home loans.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I used to be an airline pilot for American Eagle and was working up the ranks until 9/11 happened and I got furloughed.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
The Na Pali coast in Kauai.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and the best single day on the calendar?
My favorite month is September because it is slowly starting to cool down and football and dove seasons have begun. My favorite holiday is easily Christmas. It is such a wonderful time to spend in reflection and with the family.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
The lobster ravioli at Terilli’s. I’m not sure there is anything better.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
God and my wife.
Q: How do you ignite kindness in your community?
I pray every day for God to show me one way I can help someone else and make it a point to go out of my way to try. Sometimes it’s something obvious that I recognize, but other times it might just be a kind word and I might not even know I made an impact.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Napalm. I love the smell of napalm in the morning. Smells like victory.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
God and family.
