Longtime Community Pillar Honored For Decades Of Service In Marin County Town

NOVATO, CA — Novato’s City Council took time at its Tuesday meeting to honor a quiet pillar of the community, recognizing George Brenton Estes for more than four decades of service to local families, youth and civic life.

“The city of Novato proudly recognizes individuals who demonstrate commitment to and support for the community values and principles,” said Mayor Pro Tem Kevin Jacobs framing the tribute as a reflection of Novato’s core values.

Estes’ has deep local roots. A proud Novato resident since 1965, he attended Olive School, Hill Junior High and Novato High before leaving in 1975 to serve a two-year full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He and his wife, Ray Lee Davis, returned in 1982 to raise their two children.

Professionally, Estes began work at Valley Memorial Park on January 26, 1981, where he launched a now-longstanding tradition of local Boy Scouts placing flags on veterans’ graves, followed by a flag ceremony and memorial service.

“I just want to let you know that the years spent at Valley Memorial Park had been an honor to serve this community and the families that we took care of is a blessing,” Estes said.

The city noted his decades of involvement, starting in 1984, with Boy Scouts of America Troop 79 and his current role on the executive board of Marin Council Scouts of America.

“In 1997 George received the Silver Beaver Award, the highest award that can be bestowed on an adult leader for noteworthy exceptional service to youth,” Jacobs said.

The award was presented by the Marin Council/Boy Scouts of America. He also highlighted Estes’ long service as a devoted Rotarian, noting he was inducted into the Rotary Club of Novato in 1983 and served as president for the 1996–97 term.

After a 45-year career at Valley Memorial Park, Estes retired on January 27, 2026.

Estes thanked the council and described his work at the cemetery and funeral home as a blessing.

“One of the things that frost my cookies is when people say, ‘Well, what do you do?’ I tell them, we work in a cemetery, crematory, or funeral home. They say, ‘Well, I guess somebody's got to do it.’ It just bugs me to death, because not everybody can do that,” Estes said. “Very few can't. And the families that we've helped through tough times are my payday.”