John Thomas Jeter

Services for John T. Jeter, 89, of Longview will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 3, 2010, at First Baptist Church of Kilgore. Dr. Rick Webb of Buckner Westminster Place will officiate. Mr. Jeter passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Wednesday morning. Services are under the direction of Rader Funeral Home of Longview. Burial will be in the Kilgore City Cemetery immediately following the service. The family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. today, April 2, 2010, at Rader Funeral Home Chapel on Judson Road in Longview. John T. was born September 22, 1920, in Kilgore, Texas to O.M. and Myra Stephens Jeter. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 55 years, Marguerite, his sisters Louise Jeter and Martha Jeter Rogers, and his brothers Jack, Carl, Wayne and Melvin Jeter, and half-brother Zirkle Jeter. He is survived by his children J.T. Jeter, III of Gilmer, Jim Jeter and wife Karen of Jackson, MS, Theresa Jeter Carroll and husband Jim of College Station, Bob Jeter and wife Deborah of East Mountain, Don Jeter and wife Laura of Union Grove, Jack Jeter and wife Karen of Hallsville, and Jayne Jeter Green and husband Tony of Austin. In addition, he is survived by his grandchildren, Laura Brittain and husband Brian, Amy Carroll, James Carroll and wife Robin, Jon and Katie Jeter, Jack Jeter II and wife Chandra, Jennifer Nelson and husband Jay, Jeramy Jeter and wife Christina, Colin Jeter, Tammy Kessler and husband Alan, Rhonda Jeter, Devin, Nathan, and Brianna Waddel, Keith Waddel and wife Kaydee, and Rachel and Audrey Green, and Colton and Cailon McCulloch. Further, he is survived by his great-grandchildren, Jayla, James, Justice and Jaryn Nelson, J.D. Jeter, Josh and Amanda Kessler, Jack III and Chesney Jeter, Kade Jeter, Christian Jeter, Ethan, Aaron and Nathan Brittain, Faith and Thomas Carroll, and Katharine Carroll. He is also survived by several cousins and numerous nieces and nephews. John T. was a graduate of both Kilgore High School and Kilgore College. During WWII, he became a Navy Test Pilot and Flight Instructor in Pensacola, FL. In 1953, he graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Over the course of his long career, he was an engineer for McDonnell Douglas Corporation, General Dynamics and retired from the Veteran?s Administration. Pallbearers will be his five sons and two sons-in-law. Honorary pallbearers will be his grandsons. ?Daddy, Granddaddy, Uncle John T. and Mr. Jeter? will be greatly missed by all those privileged enough to know and love him. The family wishes to express their gratitude to those who lovingly cared for him during the final years of his life including the staff at Buckner Westminster Place and Summer Meadows Nursing Home. They especially would like to thank the staff of Texas Home Health Hospice who brought so much peace to the family. If so desired, in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Texas Home Health Hospice of Longview, 500 E. Loop 281 Longview, Texas 75605, or to any VFW post or charity of your choice. A memorial guestbook may be signed online at www.raderfh.com.

John Thomas Jeter

September 22, 1920 - March 31, 2010