Jesse F. Gump Jr.

Jesse F. "Bucky" Gump, Jr., 78, of Carmichaels, passed away Friday, September 12, 2025, in his home, surrounded by his loving family. He was born August 2, 1947, in Fairview, W.Va., to the late Jesse F. Gump, Sr. and Frances L. Copeland Gump Wood. In 1965, Jesse graduated from Waynesburg High School. He went on to attend the Pittsburgh Technical Institute, graduating in 1967. After serving in the United States Army for 14 months in Vietnam, he was honorably discharged in 1969. On June 28, 1970, Jesse married the love of his life, Barbara J. Smalsky, who survives. Jesse was employed by the Honeywell Corporation as a computer technician, by Northern Telecom as a district manager, and by Icon Construction as the chief cost engineer. He retired in 2009, returning to Carmichaels after having lived near Cincinnati. Jesse was innovative, creative, and hard working. A prolific writer and published author of two books, The Joy of Math, and After Math. Jesse was so proud of having sold over 1,000 copies in Thailand, the setting of the books. He also enjoyed writing short stories to amuse his family and friends. In 1996, he invented a portable, accurate breath alcohol tester, and established a small manufacturing facility in Canada. He applied for and received a patent on his invention that same year. Jesse enjoyed traveling with his wife to Thailand and Vietnam. On his last trip to Vietnam, he revisited the village his army base had once been located. He reconnected with several Vietnamese friends that he had made during his tour of duty there, who were elated to see him. It was a joyous reunion for all. In addition to his loving wife, Jesse is survived by his son, Nicholas Gump; three grandsons, Nicholas, Jr., Shannon, and Benjamin Gump; two sisters, Jeanne Songer and Cathy Schloemer; sister- in-law, Kathy Olszewski; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, and cousins. A special thank you to everyone at Amedisys hospice for their loving care. At Jesse's request, all funeral services will be private and are entrusted to Yoskovich Funeral Home, Inc. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to a charity of one's choice.