Franklin Todd Estep

Franklin Todd Estep, age 56, went to be with his Lord October 16, 2024 in Winston-Salem, NC. He was born September 10,1968 in Welcome, North Carolina the son of Nancy Price Estep and Gus Franklin Estep.

As a young man at the age of 14, Todd repented his sins and gave his life to Jesus Christ which influenced him throughout his life as well as his many years in Scouting, falling just short of his Eagle Scout project.

He graduated with honors from North Davidson High School, Class of 1986 in Welcome, North Carolina.

Todd’s work history began at Fairchild AFB USAF / Spokane, Washington as a Defense Meteorological Spacecraft Data Analyst. His employment continued after an honorable discharge with a position at White Sands Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) network operations control center as a satellite controller responsible for all aspects of network management, command and control of a geosynchronous spacecraft.

Todd spent a period of time working as a Flight Operations Controller in Pleasanton, California/ Longmont, Colorado for one of the groundbreaking commercial satellite imagery programs, DigitalGlobe, as a command and control center engineer developing the facilities for a low-earth orbit spacecraft that was to be the first of its kind using declassified military technology to build and develop a database of high resolution earth imagery.  This data is now commonly used in most current online mapping applications such as Google Earth and several driving and routing applications utilized in our current smartphones.

Todd was employed by Boeing Services Company.  He spent nearly 16 years in multiple positions including a role as a Mission Director/Flight Operations Specialist in Leesburg, Virginia with the Iridium satellite network operations center (SNOC). He managed a multitude of terrestrial and space-based facilities including tracking stations, network connectivity, and all oversight of daily operation and maintenance activities of these assets. Additional positions included a Software Products Team Building Manager in Richardson, Texas.

Todd held a position as a Ground Systems Field Engineer traveling to Longyearbyen, Norway frequently. He had oversight and management of all operational aspects of a large-scale complex communications system architecture comprising an international network of satellite tracking and data relay stations including lab equipment testing/calibration/card-level and mechanical repair and field installation/operational checkout of system components.

After 28 years in Arizona, Todd’s last years of his life were spent back in his home state of North Carolina.  He magically crossed paths again with his Sr High School prom date, Julie. They fell deeply in love and married March 10, 2016 and lived a full happy life together.

Todd had a variety of hobbies and interests. Among them were building/flying R/C airplanes and rockets, listening to music, nature, fishing, reading, bird watching, recipe collecting, gardening and cooking. He had a strong love for Hatch Green Chiles that he discovered in his days in Las Cruces, New Mexico. He enjoyed discussing religion and world views with his buddies and close family members. He enjoyed many long conversations with his precious son, Austin.

Todd will always be remembered for his kind/gentle spirit, generous nature and a true Patriot that served his country. He was a loving, supportive husband and father, a dedicated friend, great neighbor and cool uncle. He had a strong love for God and helped many family/friends, including his wife rediscover their faith. He was an outstanding chef that loved cooking for family gatherings and always lead us in saying grace prior to meals.

Todd is survived by his loving wife, Julie Davis Estep; his mother, Nancy P. Estep; siblings Ted Estep, Tony Estep and Tiffany Heuston, an adored son he loved deeply, Austin Estep, special friends Ken Julian, Matthew Hedrick, Byron Austin, otherwise known as “Ed” his buddy from the military, the Davis family that loved him deeply,  as well as countless other special friends and family who cherished him and whom he cared for dearly.

Todd blessed many lives and will be greatly missed….he may gone be but his impact on our lives remain.

In accordance with Todd’s wishes there will be no formal service held at this time.

In loving memory, memorial contributions may be made to The Children’s Heart Foundation or Wounded Warriors Project