Jack Ledbetter, 95, passed away January 31, 2018. He was born October 17, 1922 in Sacramento, CA to Marian Lewis and Hester Wilcox. Jennings and Ethel Ledbetter later adopted him at the age of one year.
He was accepted into the Air Corps and on May 5, 1942 he became a private. He did his training at Sheppard Field, TX. He graduated top of his class and became an aviation Cadet. He then went to Yale University for Aviation Engineering class where he was one of only 5 to graduate. He went to Atlanta, GA and then to Santa Maria, CA where he became First Engineering Officer for groups assigned to service P-59 Jet Fighters. Once the war ended he put in for an undue hardship discharge to go home and take over the electric sign company owned by his family so it would not fail and on November 15, 1945 he was an ex Second Lt in the US Air Force.
The company grew substantially and he sold it and retired. He raced aircraft and competed and won many national championships and was also a Training Pilot.
He met Doris Majneric, with four small children, and they married and he adopted her four children.
In 2006, Jack and Doris moved to Nacogdoches as Doris was originally from San Augustine.
Jack became very active in the community, serving on numerous boards such as Nacogdoches Club, SFA Finance Dept Board, SFA Administrative Committee, Physic and Science Dept, Boys and Girls Club, Women’s Job Corp and Treatment Center and was a member of the SFA College of Fine Arts Dean’s Circle. He was a Board Member of Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital for four years. He was a major contributor to the local art Gallery.
He is preceded in death by his parents and wife Doris.
He is survived by Children of he and Doris; daughter Lisa Vella (Mike) Arizona; sons Mark Ledbetter (Phaedra) California; Jack Ledbetter (Jennifer) Nacogdoches and Michael Ledbetter.
Wife Naioma, and Ex-Wife Betty, and daughters Mary Ledbetter California and Peggy Galon Florida. Seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, February 9, 2018, at Cason Monk-Metcalf Sunset Chapel officiated by Celebrant Constance Engelking. A private interment will be held at Sunset Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations be made in Mr. Ledbetter's name to The Boys and Girls Club, 941 Tower Road, Nacogdoches, Texas 75961.
Online condolences may be left at www.CasonMonk-Metcalf.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors, Nacogdoches.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18