Jake Q. Ledwell, age 86 of Diamond Bar, California died on February 21, 2015 in Covina, CA due to complications from pancreatic cancer. He was born on October 18, 1928 in Gaston County to the late Robert and Ina Head Ledwell. He attended Cherryville High School and then made his way to California to attend L.I.F.E. Bible College in Los Angeles. He received an Associate's Degree from East Los Angeles Junior College and was awarded a certificate of service as An Outstanding Member of the Associated Students. Jake entered the military and served in the United States Army from 1952 to 1954 during the Korean War, where he also completed courses for Signal Message Clerks. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Corporal. He earned two bronze stars. Mr. Ledwell returned to California and completed courses in Accounting and Business Administration at the University of California. He spent the majority of his working career in the defense industry. He worked for the Autonetics Electronic Systems Division of Rockwell International (now Rockwell Collins) for over 34 years. Jake was presented the Outstanding Achievement Award for exceptional personal contribution toward the improvement of quality and performance of Rockwell products and programs. He retired in 1994 from Rockwell. He traveled across the country and in Europe during his retirement years. He was passionate about dancing, playing golf and reading books. He was a hardworking, intelligent man and who loved his family and friends very much. He brought much joy into people's lives with his outgoing and friendly demeanor.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Dorothy Ruth Roe Ledwell; third wife, Geri Blizzard Ledwell; son, Thomas Ledwell; brothers, Robert Ledwell, Jr., and Mickey Ledwell; and sisters, Mary Wiley and Ruth Rutledge.
Survivors include his daughters, Lisa Check and husband, Bill of Fredrick, Maryland, and Loralyn Cropper and husband, Patrick of Wilton, Connecticut; sisters, Geneva Beam of Cherryville and Grace Brackett of Cherryville; and grandchildren, Emma Grace Cropper and Lewis Jay Cropper.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, March 29, 2015 at 11:00 AM at First Church of the Nazarene with Rev. Tom Hartis officiating.
Burial will take place at City Memorial Cemetery on Sunday, March 29, 2015 at 2:30 PM with military honors conducted by Cherryville American Legion Post #100.
Memorials may be made to First Church of the Nazarene, PO Box 66, Cherryville, NC 28021.
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