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Jesse E. Trevathan, Jr. (94), of Vero Beach, FL, died of complications from lung cancer and CHF at �martini time� April 26, 2015 at home with his loving wife of 48 years, Laila, and children at his side. Born in 1921 in Laurens, SC to parents Jesse and Mary, he was the third of seven children. Jesse is survived by his brother, Louis and two sisters, Mary Catherine and Vivian. A teenager and senior class valedictorian during the Great Depression, Jesse attended UNC-Chapel Hill when events in Pearl Harbor inspired him to contribute to the war effort by joining the Army Air Corps. He successfully captained 87 missions over the �Hump� in a B-24 Liberator during World War II earning two DFC�s. Returning home to begin a 35-year career with National Air Lines, he and his first wife, Beatrice, had three children, Kimberly, Jesse and Ben. He later married Laila and raised two children, John and Lesley. His flying career spanned 5 decades in which he learned to fly in the Stearman biplane and eventually he became an international captain flying the Boeing 747. Retired 34 years, Jesse enjoyed traveling and family visits with his children, 9 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren and many more extended family members and friends. His optimism, integrity and kindness were an inspiration to us all. Jesse and Laila have lived in Vero Beach, FL for 19 years�. As he has always called it, his �paradise�.
A private memorial will be held at a later time.
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