Leland Franklin Jourdain

Sergeant Major Leland Franklin Jourdain (Retired), age 88, of Cayce entered eternity on March 18th, 2024. He was the son of the late Leland Franklin Jourdain, Sr. and the late Vera Felkel Jourdain-Wactor of the Cameron Community. He was a long-time member of Trinity Baptist Church.

He was predeceased by his younger brother, Donald D. Jourdain.

Mr. Jourdain is survived by his wife of 65 years, Ruby Tager Jourdain; their children, Cynthia Jourdain (Steve), John Jourdain and Larry Jourdain (Beth); their grandchildren, Karl Team (Jennifer), Christopher Team, Jacob Jourdain, Emily Jourdain, Joshua Jourdain and Gabrielle Jourdain; and their great grandchildren, Tanner, Conor and Erik.

Franklin was a Veteran of the Vietnam War and proudly served his country with the US Army doing tours in Japan, France (NATO Alliance) and Costa Rica. Two tours of duty at the Pentagon in Washington DC and finally Fort Jackson where he retired after a 23-year career. He earned many medals and citations including the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal. Being a paratrooper with the Airbourne Division was one of the accomplishments he was most proud of.

His service was not over when he retired from the military. He went on to work with the US Postal Service where he retired again in 1997, after 20 years of service. The discipline and patriotism he learned in the Army never left him as friends and family will attest.

A graveside service with full military honors will be held at Southland Memorial Gardens, 700 West Dunbar Road, West Columbia, SC 29170, on Saturday, March 23rd at 2:00 PM. There will be a visitation prior to the service from 1:00 – 1:45 PM at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home - West Columbia Chapel, 820 West Dunbar Road, West Columbia, SC 29170.