Jesse D Kornegay

Jesse D. Kornegay was born in Vance, Alabama on September 15, 1917 and died on June 6, 2016 in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Survivors include his wife Elizabeth Kornegay, his sisters Veda Polich and Evelyn Peters and a brother Floyd (Buster) Kornegay, his daughters Kathryn Kornegay Oschwald (Dr. Don Oschwald) - their children Jason (Alissa), Jennifer (Rob), Brian, Kaitlyn; and Patricia Kornegay Kirkpatrick (Robert Kirkpatrick) - their children Jeffery and Robert (Michelle) ; son Christopher Kornegay (Margaret); step children Barry Heuser (Jenna), Ray Heuser (Tama), Michael Heuser (Charlotte), and Kathy Heuser Karr (Kermit) and numerous other grandchildren, great grand children, nieces and nephews. Preceding Jesse in death are brother David Kornegay and sisters Viola Waldrep , and Marilyn Smith and a son Ronald Kornegay. Jesse graduated from Hueytown High School. Later he moved from Hueytown, AL to Denver, CO. He then moved to Los Alamos, NM where he worked at Los Alamos Labs during WWII. He then moved to Santa Fe, NM, and married Lucille Walters (deceased). He was an active Democrat. Jesse was a County Commissioner, Chief State Tax Commissioner and elected State Treasurer in 1969 server until 1974. He was a member of the Elks, Masons, Lions and Kiwanis. He was an active member of the Santa Fe County Posse. Jesse served on numerous boards and was very active in the community. He was a member of the church of the Holy Faith and sang in the choir. Jesse enjoyed hunting on horse back in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, fly fishing on the Pecos River, and playing poker with friends. Jesse's real passion in life was playing duplicate bridge. He was a member of the American Contract Bridge League attaining the rank of Gold Life Master. In 1983, while playing in a bridge tournament in Lexington, KY Jesse met Elizabeth W. Taylor. They married and moved to Panama City, FL and spent many happy years traveling the country and playing bridge in every state in the union. In Florida they lived by Jesse's siblings and enjoyed 20 years of family gatherings. In 2004 Jesse moved to Las Cruces, NM where he enjoyed family and friends for 12 years. He was proud of the fact he was still driving and playing bridge at 98! What a way to live! There will be a Celebration of Life at the Belton Bridge Center at a later date. If you would like to make a donation in Jesse D. Kornegay's Honor, donations can be made to Mesilla Valley Hospice 299 E. Montana Las Cruces NM 88005 . PDF Printable Version