Jackson Jambalaya

A moving video of the final journey of a WWII vet appeared on Facebook a few days ago.  Aleck Primos died last week at the age of 95 years old.  He saw his share of combat and managed to come back home alive.  Claudia Primos posted this video of  Mr. Primos as he left the State Veteran's Home in Oxford.  Break out the tissues.

Ms. Primos posted this obituary on Facebook.

Aleck A. Primos passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 16, 2018 at the State Veteran’s Home in Oxford, MS. Aleck was born February 8, 1923 in New Orleans, LA to the late Angelo (Pop) and Mildred Primos. As a young boy he moved to Jackson, MS, where his father started what was to be a chain of restaurants. Aleck graduated from Central High School where he was a member of the ROTC and a Golden Gloves middle weight champion. WWII interrupted his education at Tulane when he was commissioned a Naval Officer at the end of his junior year. He married the love of his life, Billie Claude Pierce, shortly before he was sent overseas. Aleck served in China behind enemy lines training Chinese Guerilla’s. During their long separation, Billie Claude would receive letters only every few months and, when she did, they were often so badly censored she could barely read them. Aleck was discharged from the Navy in 1946 and joined his father in the restaurant business. 

They had three children, Jimmy (Jane), Claudia, and Gale (George) Stuart. Aleck was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and golf. Aleck and Billie Claude enjoyed their retirement home at the Highland Country Club in North Carolina, where he was written up in Golf Digest when he hit two hole-in-ones on the same round of golf. He was never the one to be overly modest; he often referred to himself as “The Ol’ Master.” After the death of Billie Claude, he married Dot Dye Gober. When his health began to decline in his 90’s he lived with his daughter, Claudia, whom he referred to as “Puddin.” Aleck was preceded in death by his parents, Angelo and Mildred Primos; his wife of 55 years, Billie Claude; his second wife, Dot; and great granddaughter, Edith Pierce Williams. Besides his children he leaves behind 9 grandchildren and 12 great grand children. 

 A funeral service will be held at Madison Heights Presbyterian Church at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 20, 2018 with a visitation beginning at 12 noon. Graveside services will follow at Parkway Memorial Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society , The MS State Veterans Home in Oxford, MS, Wounded Warriors, or charity of your choice.

The Clarion-Ledger chronicled his life over the years.



Kingfish note: Newly-enshrined Director Stacey Pickering instituted a new policy for taking care of veterans when they die at the state veterans homes.  When a veteran would die, the staff would take his body out of the closest back door and try to "protect" the other residents from seeing it. The new policy directs the staff to drape an American flag over the body, and wheel him out the front door while Taps is playing.