Emmett J. Ledbetter, Jr. passed away December 8, 2018, at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital. He was 94 years old.

He was born April 28, 1924, in New Albany, MS, the son of the late Emmett J. Ledbetter, Sr. and Ressie Hamilton Ledbetter.  On March 31, 1945, he married Kathleen Turner who passed away in 2015.

He was a highly decorated World War II veteran. Tech Sergeant Emmett Ledbetter (flight engineer/top turret gunner on the B24 bomber, Leakin’ Deacon) was a member of the Army Air Corps 455th Bomb Group (H) – 743rd Bomb Squadron – 15th Air Force based at an airfield near Cerignola, Italy. He flew 50 combat missions. Among his medals are the Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, 2 Presidential Unit Citations, Air Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters, European Theatre War Ribbon with 3 Bronze Battle Stars.

He was employed by the GM&O Railroad and later by the ICG Railroad and was Senior Conductor on the Tennessee Division when he retired. He was an excellent golfer known for his smooth, easy swing. His golfing achievements include First Flight Club Champion, a hole in one, and the youngest golfer to shoot his age in 1987 at age 63.

He is survived by his daughter, Brenda Rayman (Chip) of Knoxville; son, Johnny Ledbetter (Connie) of Jackson, TN; three grandchildren, John Michael Ledbetter (Jennifer), Seth Rayman (Jennifer), Leslie Sitton (Joe); and five great-grandchildren, Kali Sitton, Emmie Sitton, Joseph Sitton, Riley Jane Ledbetter, and Jackson Rayman.

SERVICES: Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, December 10, 2018, in the Mausoleum Chapel of Highland Memorial Gardens with Chaplain (MAJ) Glynn Jones, Tennessee State Guard officiating. There will be no visitation prior to service. As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice.

Arrington Funeral Directors, 148 W. University Parkway, Jackson, TN 731.668.1111.www.arringtonfuneralgrpip.com, Arrington funeral directors facebook page.