Remembering Wayne Estes

I remember Wayne Estes as one of the most talented players i had ever seen. He had a phenomenol hook shot and was just behind Rick Barry for the college scoring leader in the contry. I had cut out all of his articles concerning hios play in basketball and the night he was electrocuted i was actually devastated. I couldn't believe that someone who was so alive could have passed through the veil of death. I figure that we all have a time picked out for our death and for some unknown reason he was called home to leave this earth life! Whenever I think of the college basketball greats, he is right at the top. I b elieve he would have been another Larry Bird only ahead of Bird's time!!!!

I was engaged to Wayne and the Saturday prior to his death, the
coach (Ladell Anderson) allowed Wayne to stay in Provo, (where USU
had just played BYU) so that we could be together. We planned and
dreamed and envisioned a future with 10 children. Wayne wanted us
to have two basketball teams.

The future was not only cut short, but totally wiped out for me when
Wayne died. I was lucky enough to be married for few short years
and to have half the number of children that we had dreamt of. I know
that Wayne wanted me to be happy and have those experiences. But, a
large part of my adult life has remained woven into the memories of
being with Wayne and my heart still aches at thought of him, even
though it has been 43 years now. I have never met anyone that comes close
to being the kind of person that Wayne was and noone has ever come close
to loving me as tenderly and sweetly as he did.

Many odd things have come up to keep my memory of him alive. From out
of nowhere, a journalist would call wanting an interview. Someone
would send me a newspaper article or I would get an invitation out of
the clear blue to come see the tournament named after Wayne and to
organize a reunion. This is to happen March 28th and 29th, 2009. If
anyone reading this is interested in coming to that event. Please
email me and we will send you information.

Cherished memories continue to tie us all together. :) Fondly, Paula

We had just come home from that last game of Wayne's, when he had scored 44 points and left a 2000 point legacy. Our elation at USU's win was turned to shock and dismay when we heard of Wayne's sudden and untimely death. After all these years, our memories of his playing ability have faded, but never died. He was one of the highlights of our college experience. It was wonderful to see film of his incredible skills on the court. Thanks from a couple of old, but still, Aggie fans.