Jesse A. Killian

Jesse Alexander (Jake) Killian, 89, died Friday, October14, 2011 at home in Peachland. Born September 13, 1922 in Fairfield County, South Carolina, he was the third son of the late Claude T. Sr. and Mary Isabelle Taylor Killian. Mr. Killian graduated from Chester High School and received other training in commercial studies as well as training at NC State College in the US Army Air Forces.

During WWII, Mr. Killian served in the Fifteenth Division of the US Army Air Forces and was the radio operator on his crew. They flew bombing raids into Germany from the Mediterranean theatre. On their 13th mission, his crewâ??s B-17 was shot down over Hungary on its return to Italy. Mr. Killian was an American prisoner of war in Germany from January 1945 until the end of the war in April 1945. Prisoners at his camp, Stalag VIIA at Moosburg, Germany, were liberated by General George S. Patton and the Fourteenth Armored Infantry Division of the US Third Army. He held the rank of Technical Sgt. at the time of his discharge.

Mr. Killian was a long time member of the Peachland Baptist Church and served as Chairman of the Deacons, Sunday School Director, Baptist Men Director, RA Director and as the teacher of various Sunday School classes. He was also a member of the Executive Committee of the Anson Baptist Association, served as the Association's Clerk and was the first layman to be elected Moderator of the Association, paving the way for others to follow.

Mr. Killian was employed as an agent/operator for the Seaboard Coastline Railroad (CSX) for 34 years, stationed at the depot at Wadesboro, NC at the time of his retirement. He was a member of the TCU Railroad Union and was serving as the Chairman of the Board of Directors at his retirement. He served on the Anson County Library Board for 23 years, many of which he served as Chairman of the Board. Mr. Killian was also appointed and served as a member of the Sandhills Regional Library Board for eighteen years, fifteen as chair of that board as well. At the time of his retirement from the Regional Board, he was named Chairman Emeritus. Other state library affiliations included the North Carolina Library Association, Chairman of the Trustee Section of that group and membership in the NC Friends of the Library. Mr. Killian was a member of the American Library Association and served as the Vice-chairman of the Trustee Section. He was presented the Prestigious American Library Association Trustee Award given to only two trustees in the United States each year.

Jake was a life-long democrat, serving in various local, county, and state positions and was elected Precinct Chairman Emeritus of the Peachland district. In 1999, Governor James B. Hunt bestowed on him the Governor's Award for Volunteer Service. He was a member and past master of Beaver Dam Masonic Lodge #276 in Marshville, NC, a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies, Carolina Consistory, Charlotte, NC, and KCCH of this body. He also was a member of the Monroe NC York Rite Body. Mr. Killian belonged to the Oasis Temple and its Past Masters Unit. As a member of the Anson County Shine Club, he served as President, Secretary, Director and Club Ambassador to Oasis Temple. Jake was employed as the Town Clerk/Financial Officer for the Town of Peachland for 37 years. He was a charter member of Lanesboro #2 Volunteer Fire Department and served as its first secretary. Mr. Killian was also elected to serve on the Peachland Elementary School Board, serving as its Chairman for most of his tenure. Mr. Killian is survived by two daughters, Victoria Taylor and husband Kirby of Denton, TX, and Judy Harrelson and husband Larry of Rockingham; brothers Davis Killian and wife Mary of Chester, SC and Robert Killian and wife Patricia of Columbia, SC; four grandsons, Andy Taylor and wife Bea of Ft. Collins, CO, James Taylor and wife Donna of Richmond, VA, Matthew Harrelson of Pinehurst and Ethan Harrelson of Raleigh; one granddaughter, Pamela Rackley and husband Jake of Celina, TX; and 10 great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Reba R. Killian, three brothers, C.T., John and William Killian and one sister, Frances K. Montgomery.