Thomas Oberle Jelks

Graveside services with military honors will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday November 9, 2011 at the Ft. Mitchell National cemetery according to Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Road, Columbus, GA 31907. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Mr. Jelks was born Mary 19, 1916 in Baltimore, Maryland son of the late Albert Paul Jelks and Anna Oberle Jelks and was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy J. Jelks.

Mr. Jelks entered the military service in the Maryland National Guard in 1935 and served until 1938. He joined the U.S. Army in 1943 serving a total of twenty-five years. He served as a machine gunner in the 100th Infantry Division, receiving a battlefield commission during World War Two. He was honored for service in World War Two with the Bronze Star Medal; the American Campaign Medal; European, African, Middle East Medals with three Battle Stars; World War Two Victory Medal; World War Two Occupational Medal and the Reserve Armed Forces Medal. He was also honored for service in the Korean War with the Korean War Medal; United Nations Service Medal; and the National Defense Service Medal. He earned the Combat Infantry Badge; the Presidential Unit Citation with two Oak Leaf clusters; the French Cordde Gare and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal. Mr. Jelks was a life time member of the American Legion; the Veterans of Foreign Wars; and the Disabled American Veterans,. He was also a member of the National Rifle Association; the Retired Officers Association and the Second Amendment Foundation.

Survivors include his daughters, Royce A. Patrick of Virginia, Janice L. Chandler of Tennessee, his sons, Samuel J. Jelks of Georgia, Phillip B. Jelks of Colorado, Thomas O. Jelks, Jr. of Pennsylvania Lawrence A. Jelks of Maryland, numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren and his devoted and loving caregiver of 10 years, Cora McCoy.