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Major Jesse Collum Remembered

Major Jesse W Collum, Sr. July 27, 1934 - November 30, 2012
Major Jesse W Collum, Sr. July 27, 1934 - November 30, 2012 (click image to view full size)
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44 year member passed way on 30 November 2012

By Col David E Crawford, CAP
NC Wing Commander

12/3/2012–Raleigh, NC–

 Family and friends gathered in Raleigh on 3 December 2012 to remember and celebrate the life of Jesse Winfred Collum, Sr.  Services were held at the North Haven Church in Raleigh, with a standing room crowd present for the service.  Jesse died on November 30, 2012 with his family and friends by his side in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Jesse was born on July 27, 1934 in Winnabow, North Carolina to Pearl and Beulah Collum. Jesse moved to Wilmington, where he met and married his wife of 58 years, Hazel Collins Collum. Jesse and Hazel eventually settled in Raleigh. Jesse worked as an engineer for 45 years before retiring from Parker Hannifin in 2002 after 34 years of service. 

Flying was the love of his life, second only to his family. Jesse became a pilot in 1967 and joined the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) in 1968. Jesse served the North Carolina Wing as mission pilot, orientation pilot, instructor and check pilot. He was a long time member of the Raleigh-Wake Composite Squadron. He also served as an assistant Safety Officer.  After retiring from his career in engineering, Jesse worked part time as a flight instructor for FlightGest from 2002-2012.

The Raleigh-Wake Composite Squadron (NC-048) Cadet Honor Guard participated in the service and presented the American flag that had draped the casket to the family after completing the folding ceremony. The Honor Guard  was made up of C/Lt Col Kyle Zobel, C/Capt Katie Zobel, C/SMSgt Ari Brown and C/MSgt Randy Foster.

The pall bearers were Maj Gen Dwight Wheless, former NC Wing Commander and former National Commander; Col Larry Ragland, former Raleigh-Wake Sq Commander, NC Wing Commander and current Middle East Region Commander; Col David Crawford, former Raleigh-Wake Sq Commander and current NC Wing Commander; Lt Col Dion Viventi, former Raleigh-Wake Sq Commander and current NC Group 3 Commander; Maj Tim Tessin, former Raleigh-Wake Sq Commander and Capt Rich Laviano, current Raleigh-Wake Sq Commander.

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