The Auburn University College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment (CFWE) is delighted to announce the establishment of the Ollie Edward and James Wilma “Jim” Estes Endowed Scholarship through the generosity of Dennis and Leslie Womack.
Dennis Womack, a former player (’69 & ’73) and baseball coach at Auburn, created the scholarship in memory of his late wife’s parents. Ollie and Jim Estes spent their entire lives in Elmore County, Alabama, and were known for their commitment to family, business and farming.
Ollie and Jim Estes standing on their first Elmore County, Alabama, lot purchase.
Married in 1935, Jim and Ollie built a successful life in Wetumpka, Alabama, operating various service stations that they owned and managed. A World War II war veteran, Ollie cherished the thousands of acres of forest and wildlife preserves where they resided and bred sporting bird dogs. After Ollie’s passing in 1982, Jim continued the family’s business enterprise, establishing Estes Oil Company and becoming an active member of the Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce and the Elmore Community Hospital Board.
The scholarship in their honor will support juniors and seniors in the CFWE with a declared forestry major, with priority to students from Elmore County, veterans who have received an honorable discharge or others with similar interests to Ollie and Jim. This financial assistance will be prioritized for students interested in land conservation, sustainable forestry and responsible resource management.
Along with their conservation and business pursuits, Ollie and Jim were also well-respected members of their community. They made a lasting impact outside of their property, instilling an ethic of hard work, dedication and service in their four children, Steven, Jenny, Cathy and Molly. Cathy, a 1970 honors graduate at Auburn, was the quintessential example of the family’s long-term commitment to the university. Cathy continued her education by receiving her law degree from the University of Virginia.
For Dennis and Leslie Womack, this scholarship is a personal endeavor. Dennis, having years of experience around the game of baseball, keenly knows the youth’s need for guidance, education and development. To name this scholarship after his late wife’s parents is a measure to ensure their legacy as lifelong stewards of environmental conservation is recognized within Alabama.
“Ollie and Jim Estes were proud of their lifetime dedicated to being good stewards of the land, timber and natural resources in Elmore County, Alabama,” said Dennis Womack.
Through this CFWE scholarship, the Womacks hope to inspire future generations of forestry professionals to take a page from the Estes family book working with Alabama’s natural resources and developing a profound appreciation for the land.
Award recipients of the Ollie Edward and James Wilma “Jim” Estes Endowed Scholarship will not only receive financial support but also become part of a lasting legacy. Through their schooling and enduring professional careers, recipients will carry on the Estes family tradition, making a positive impact on Alabama’s environment.
