CMSgt. Jackie Lester Long, Ret.

CMSgt. Jackie Lester Long, Ret. known lovingly to friends and family as Lester, passed on April 25, 2026, in Jacksonville, Florida, at the age of 75. He was born on July 12, 1950, in Whiteville, North Carolina, and through all his days he carried himself with a steady heart, a clear mind, and a spirit made strong by duty, devotion, and faith.

Lester lived a life marked by service, discipline, and quiet honor. He was a Christian man whose trust in the Lord shaped the manner of his days and gave comfort to those who walked beside him. In him were found those rare graces that time cannot easily dim: intelligence, courage, and a faith-filled resolve. He did not merely speak of steadfastness; he embodied it in the work of his hands, the loyalty of his heart, and the calm firmness with which he met the burdens of life.

Lester’s calling to serve his country was answered with valor at the tender age of 17. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, where he served as a Combat Engineer with the 1st Marine Division in Vietnam from 1968 to 1970. Those were years of hardship and trial for both Lester and his young bride, Virginia. Lester bore them with the mettle of a true warrior. In the furnace of war he proved himself brave, capable, and steadfast, offering his strength in defense of others and in the cause of peace. Later, he continued his professional journey in the United States Air Force, where he served as a Civil Engineer, duty stations dotted the globe, trained and competing (EU/UK) as US Armed Forces Powerlifting champion. He rose to rank of E9/ CMSgt. and retired after 23 years of active duty. His career reflected not only skill and perseverance, but also the trust placed in him by those who knew his worth. He labored with competence and dignity, and his service stood as a witness to the value of responsibility well kept.

Lester’s education in Civil Engineering gave shape to his practical mind and to his work, yet his life was never defined by profession alone. He was a man of interests that reflected patience, discernment, and appreciation for craftsmanship. He enjoyed hunting, a pursuit that often called for silence, observation, and respect for the created world. He made a point to share these teachings and experiences with his children, ensuring the same appreciation was passed down.

He also had a deep appreciation for gun collecting and restoration, tending with care to the preservation of history and the restoration of what time had worn. In such things, as in all his affairs, he showed the eye of one who valued order, history, and the beauty of things made whole again.

Lester was the beloved husband of Virginia Long, and they were rooted in their lifelong companionship and loyalty to one another. He was a devoted father to Curtis Long and Leah Rushing, and he took joy in the blessing of his grandson, Myles Long. He shared a bond of brotherhood and friendship with Lesley Mosley. To his family he was a source of strength, wisdom, and steadiness. He loved them not with loud display, but with the enduring devotion of a man whose care was proven in presence, provision, and example. His family will remember not only what he did, but the kind of man he was, for he left behind a legacy of integrity, courage, and faith.

In the measure of earthly life, Lester’s days were not nearly enough. Yet the Christian heart knows that death is not the final word for those who are in Christ. Though his passing in Jacksonville has brought sorrow to those who cherished him, there is also comfort in the promise of Holy Scripture, which teaches that the faithful are received into the mercy of God. His life reminds us that a man may be strong without harshness, steadfast without pride, and honorable without seeking applause. He walked through this world with the dignity of one who understood duty and the humility of one who knew the Lord.

His courage in war, his excellence in service, his love for family, friends, and his Christian faith together formed a life of uncommon worth.

His legacy of love, courage, and steadfast devotion to his family and his faith will be deeply missed by all who knew him.