Jesse Wade Flaugher, age 77 of Tuscumbia, passed away on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at home surrounded by his family. He was born in Tuscumbia on July 25, 1946, the son of Wade and Grace (Roark) Flaugher. On December 18, 1966, at Mt. Zion Christian Church Jesse was united in marriage to Rayma Leah Graham who survives at their home. He was a member of Mt. Zion Christian Church and was baptized on June 6, 2005.

Jesse worked for Ernie Jones Garage when he and Rayma first married until being drafted. He completed training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO before deploying to Vietnam as SPC E4 with the United States Army 101st Airborne Division from November of 1968 to November 1969. After completing his military service at Fort Leavenworth, Jesse and Rayma returned home to Tuscumbia. Jesse was an owner/operator driver with 7Up in the early 70s then drove for George Ivy Oil Company, Gold Crown Foods, and over 30 years with Roger Mertens Oil Company. After retiring, he drove a school bus for Tuscumbia Schools until fully retiring in 2017.

Jesse was able to go on the Central Missouri Honor Flight 50 years after serving in Vietnam and received his official welcome home.

Jesse was an avid hunter and spent many days on the river fishing with his grandchildren. He was an avid Cardinals fan and rarely missed watching a game. Most of all, he loved his family and was happiest when he was with them.

In addition to his wife, Rayma Flaugher, Jesse is also survived by four children, Lysha (Ken) Thompson of Iberia, Amory (Scott) Ahart of Lake Ozark, Jesse R. (Kara) Flaugher of Ulman, and Terre (Misty) Flaugher of Lake Ozark. Eight grandchildren, Tori (Jordy) Carmack, Wyatt Ahart, Luke (Brittany) Ahart, Mallari Flaugher, Abbi Flaugher, Madux Flaugher, Macey Flaugher, and Emerson Flaugher and four great-grandchildren, Jared, Graham, Brylinn, and Taylynn and one on the way, and sister Nancy Clark as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by seven siblings Betty Abbett, Wanda Cheever, Sherry Sears, Cindy Alieksaites, Charlie, Greg, and Jeff Flaugher, and nephew Darin Helton.

Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with service immediately following at 1 p.m., on Wednesday, June 19, at Fancher-Rekus Funeral Home in Iberia with Ken Thompson and Charlie Worstell officiating.  Interment with military honors will be held in Mt. Zion Cemetery in Tuscumbia.

Serving as pallbearers are Wyatt Ahart, Luke Ahart, Jordy Carmack, Donnie Abbett, Michael Flaugher, Joseph Flaugher, John Sears, John Neiderman, and Larry Dave Flaugher.  Honorary Pallbearers are Jared Sears, Madux Flaugher, Jared Carmack, and Graham Carmack.

Memorial Contributions are suggested to the Central Missouri Honor Flight.