Louis Albert Jetter's Obituary
Louis Albert Jetter was born on December 25, 1931 in New York City, NY to John and Catherine Jetter. What an incredible Christmas gift he was! He was the youngest of nine children, and this was during The Great Depression, the worst economic downturn in the history of the industrialized world. His mother passed away when he was a baby, so he was raised mainly by his oldest sister, while his father worked as a delivery truck driver to restaurants, delivering fresh fish all over Manhattan.He lived in Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan as a young child and grew up in Astoria, Queens. As a teen, he basically raised himself, since his dad had to work long hours to bring in an income. He loved to play baseball more than anything, and enjoyed going to The Red Sox Games with his nephew, Ed. After graduating High School, he worked as a courier for Cook Tours and took care of his terminally ill father until his death in 1950.He enlisted in the U.S. Army and 3 weeks after his 20th birthday, on January 16, 1952, he was called to serve. He was sent to fight in the Korean Conflict and served as a Sergeant in the 160th Infantry Regiment as a Rifleman. He was so proud to have served his country and was the recipient of several awards – The Combat Infantry Badge, Korean Service Medal with 3 bronze Stars, Service Star, National Defense Medal, United Nations Medal and the Korean Commemorate Medal. The war ended on July 27th, 1953, and he was return back to the United States in September, for an Honorable Discharge. He was so proud to have served his country during this conflict, and all these years later still considered it as his proudest moment.After he returned to the United States, Cook Tours rehired him, and he took the place of the retiring money-changer. In 1956, he was offered the opportunity to travel on the USS Constitution on a Mediterranean Cruise as the on-board Money Changer. This was the cruise that on April 4th, 1956, Grace Kelly, her family and fifty of her friends boarded the USS Constitution which was headed for Monaco. On April 12th, the USS Constitution’s trip to Monaco had stopped. Prince Rainier’s yacht came out of the harbor to pick up Grace from the ship. It was quite an event in history to be a part of.In 1956, he moved to Alabama and worked for Southeastern Steel Container Company for a few years, before moving to Texas and going to work for the sister company, Southwestern Steel Container Company. He was a traveling salesman selling steel drums to the food, paint and oil industries until he retired in 1993.In late 1965, he met and married Marihelen Harris in Dallas, Tx and got her 4 year-old daughter, Robin, as a bonus. He became her daddy, and raised her from that time forward. He also “inherited” Marihelen’s mother, Mabel (Mimi), and two grown daughters, LaRee and Michele and their families. Many wonderful times were had, especially while living at Cedar Creek Lake in the 1970’s. Mimi turned him into a “farmer”, and showed him how to grow a garden with the best fruits and vegetables you could ever eat. City-boy turned country-boy was a wonderful experience for Lou.In 1991, he became a grandfather for the first time and again in 1993, to Robin’s children and he loved nothing more than being the fun doting grandfather!Lou was one of the most amazing men in the world! An eternal optimist in every area of his life… never did a negative word come out of his mouth. Ever happy, whistling throughout the day… or singing happy tunes wherever he went, like “Thank ‘ya very much!”In spite of his diagnosis of lung cancer in 2013, he beat the odds and was still here with us for over 5 years. We watched him do everything possible to extend his life, here on earth… to be able to do everything he needed to do to prepare to meet the Lord. He made an even larger impact on everyone around him, especially his family. He gave his life to Christ and was baptized on Christmas Day 2013, and truly took upon him the name of Christ, and has lived His example most honorably. He taught his friends and family more about patience, love, service, and integrity than could ever be learned any other way.He entered heaven on November 5, 2018 and was greeted by the mother he never met, along with his father, brothers, and sisters who had all passed before him. He was cared for over the past 5 years by his daughter Robin, and loving caregivers who lived in the home. He lived with dignity, and died with the dignity he deserved. It was the most important thing that his daughter wanted for him. When he entered the gates of heaven, I know the Lord was there to greet him and say, “Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”He is survived by his wife, Marihelen Jetter; daughter, Robin Hurlbut (William) and two grandchildren, Christina Hurlbut, and Michael Hurlbut (C. Bailey). Step-daughter, LaRee Bryant and her children, Laura Cranford & Kevin Kifer (Helen) and many more of their children and grandchildren. Step-daughter, Michele Emerson-Roberts (Charles) and her daughter, Stacy Emerson. One nephew, Edward Hoyt, and his children and grandchildren. One niece, Barbara Goodman and her children and grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his mother and father, John and Catherine Jetter, two sisters, Gertrude Hoyt Conron, Catherine Jetter Evangelista; brothers, John Jetter, Harry Jetter, Robert Jetter, Charles Jetter, James Jetter and Edward Jetter.A special thank you to his caregivers for all the gentle love, devotion and kindness shown over the past 5 years.Family to receive guests November 8, 2018 from 6pm-8pm at Restland Funeral Home in Dallas, TX and again on November 9, 2018 at 9am to 9:45am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Highland Village, TX with Funeral Services starting at 10am. A Graveside service will be at 2pm, November 9, 2018 at Restland Memorial Park in Dallas, TXMemorials may be made to the US Department of Veterans Affairs
What’s your fondest memory of Louis?
What’s a lesson you learned from Louis?
Share a story where Louis' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Louis you’ll never forget.
How did Louis make you smile?