Dwaine was born December 12, 1945, in Bridgeport, Nebraska, to Benjamin and Rose (Clay) Estrada. He grew up in Bridgeport and attended Bridgeport High School, graduating with the class of 1963. During his high school years, Dwaine excelled as an athlete, earning the nickname “Tank” while playing football, basketball, participating as track manager and secretary of the B club.

Dwaine resided in Denver and Atlanta, and later in life made Lavonia, Georgia, his home. He was an avid fan of the Georgia Bulldogs and the Nebraska Cornhuskers, supporting both teams with passion.

Dwaine will be remembered for the quiet but profound ways he showed love, whether through a kind word, a shared story, or simply being present for those he cared about. He found joy in life’s simplest pleasures: spending time with his grandchildren, riding the golf cart with Milo (the family dog), talking sports, caring for his son Shannon and cooking for everyone. He had a unique ability to see and appreciate the beauty in the little moments that so often go unnoticed.

Dwaine was preceded in death by his parents Benjamin and Rose Estrada; his brothers Frank, Daniel (“Tix”), Donald, Richard, Ferman; his sisters Ruth and Berniece; his nephews Ted and Bill, and his grandson Conner Dwaine Estrada.

He is survived by his two sons, Rodney Dwaine (Stephanie) Estrada and Shannon Dwaine (Jacqueline) Estrada, and his four grandchildren, Claire Estrada, Alison Estrada (Aaron) Dunaway, Jacob Estrada, and Nathan Estrada. Additionally: he is survived by his brother, Les (Marcia) Estrada, and sisters: Della Estrada (Jerry) Perez, Rita Estrada Harris, Delores Estrada Moore, Joyce Estrada (Ted) Hope. Dwaine’s memory will live on in the hearts of his nephew George Estrada and niece Vicky Samples, and of the hearts of his many other nephews and nieces and extended family members.

The family will hold a graveside Celebration of Life at the Bridgeport Cemetery July 12, 2025, with a reception to follow.

As Dwaine would say at the end of any conversation, “Well darlin, that’s life in the big city!”