JC Fort

JC Fort, 89, retired United States Air Force, Master Sergeant of Longview, Texas passed away on Friday, March 17, 2023. Services will be held in the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home with visitation starting at 11am followed by the funeral service at 12pm. Interment will follow at Memory Park in Longview, TX. The service will be presided by pastor David Farmer, First Christian Church. JC Fort was born to George Fort and Pennie Fort in Dublin, Georgia on August 28, 1933. They moved to Kissimmee, Florida during his childhood where he was raised to adulthood. JC enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1952 and was stationed at Barksdale Air Base in Shreveport, La. This is where he met the love of his life, Gloria Ann Ashmore. They married in 1953. JC and Gloria had three children Gary, Pennie and Samantha. During his term of service to the Air Force, he was stationed in Guam, Philippines, Okinawa, Morocco and Spain. JC and his family had many travels and adventures and made many memories that will last forever. He retired from the Air Force in 1973 and moved to Longview. During the rest of his working career, JC worked as a carpet warehouse foreman, a mobile home salesman, a travel trailer transport agent, an independent entrepreneur at Pap’s Corner Store in Gladewater and was also the lake warden at Gladewater lake for a time. JC never met a stranger and was kind to everyone. He loved fishing, gardening and new car shopping. He loved playing card games and dominoes and was very good at it. However, his biggest joy was taking care of his wife and family. He and Gloria were devoted members of the First Christian Church in Gladewater, TX., where they served as Deacons, Elders and members of the general board. Later on, they attended and were members of Woodland Christian Church, Longview, TX and First Christian Church, Longview, TX. JC and Gloria also served with the Disabled American Veterans association and helped many veterans with transportation and receiving their benefits. He was preceded in death by his parents George and Pennie Fort; five brothers - Franklin Fort, Millard Fort, Alfred Fort, Bill Fort, Ray Fort and wife Gloria Ann Fort. He is survived by his family Gary and Faith Fort of Longview, Pennie and Keith Carlson of Colleyville, Samantha and Kurt Kauffman of Magnolia; grandchildren Jonathon Fort, Miranda Dolive, Benjamin Fort, Kimberli Sullivan, Halle Denton, Adam Chandler, Elizabeth Chandler, Mattie Chandler and 11 great grandchildren. Memorials may be given to the Watkins - Logan Texas State Veterans Home, 11466 Honor Lane. Tyler, TX 75708 or the Disabled American Veterans Association at www.DAV.org. Pallbearers will be Adam Chandler, Mattie Chandler, Spencer Ashmore, Max Ashmore, Judson Ashmore and Matthew Sullivan. A special thanks to the staff and caregiver at the Texas Veterans Home and to Heart to Heart Hospice for the wonderful care and service that will never be forgotten.

JC Fort

August 28, 1933 - March 17, 2023