Jesse C. Sullivan

1926 - 2008

Jesse C. Sullivan, 81, of Alamogordo, died Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008, in Las Cruces.
Jesse was born Feb. 6, 1926, in St. Louis to June and Wilda (Palmer) Sullivan. He served one combat tour in the Korean War and two combat tours in the Vietnam War. He received three Bronze Stars and many other decorations during his service. He served proudly in the Army for more than 20 years, attaining the rank of sergeant first class before retiring in 1970.
He moved with his family to Alamogordo in 1956 when he was stationed at White Sands Missile Range. Alamogordo became the family home, although he deployed many times around the world.
Jesse, or as his friends and some family members called him, "J.C.," was an avid coin collector and had an interest in history. His passion for history inspired two of his grandsons to major in the subject and they are now students at New Mexico State University and NMSU-Alamogordo.
Survivors include two sons, Jay Sullivan and his wife Kathy, of Las Cruces, and Jon Sullivan and his wife Susanna, of Kissimmee, Fla.; five grandchildren, Ryan Sullivan, of Alamogordo, Reagan Sullivan and his wife Courtney, of Las Cruces, Jason Sullivan and his wife Natasha, of Bloomfield, Courtney Couch, of California, and Colin Couch; two great-grandchildren, Tiffani and Hanna Sullivan; a sister, Margarite Adam, of Washington; and an aunt, Lucille Palmer.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and by his wife of 49 years, Mary Edith, in 2000.
He will be remembered in a private memorial by family and friends. The family asks that anyone wishing to honor Jesse please send a donation to Alamogordo Home Care/Hospice, P.O. Drawer 29, Alamogordo, NM 88311.
Cremation has taken place under the direction of Hamilton-O'Dell Funeral Home, and inurnment is in Fort Bliss National Cemetery in El Paso, Texas.
To send condolences to the family or sign the online guest book, please visit www.hamiltonodell.com.