Gene Jeffries Obituary

Gene Thomas Jeffries, born in Telfair County, Georgia, on September 23, 2025, passed at the age of 85 at his home in Lexington, SC. Gene was the last of Jonnie and Mae (Williams) Jeffries six children. He was predeceased by his two sisters, Kathy Mullins and Beth Elton, and three brothers Robert, John Jr., and Jimmy. Gene was a Navy Veteran and retired as a Senior Chief Petty Officer. He was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal for his service at the United Nations Command, Korea. He was also awarded the Navy Commendation Medal for his service at the Headquarters, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam and the Bronze Star Medal (with V) while assigned to the Joint Public Affairs Office, U.S. Embassy, Saigon, Vietnam. Upon completion of two years duty in Vietnam, Gene was assigned to the Naval ROTC Unit, University of South Carolina. He met and married Wanda Lynn Kleckley at First Baptist Church, Columbia, SC. His last Navy assignment was Special Security Division, Commander in Chief, Pacific at Camp Smith, Honolulu, Hawaii. Two years after their marriage their son was born, Thomas "Kolby" Jeffries. Kolby has two sons of his own, Kade Thomas and Karter Lucas. Gene is also survived by Sandra Jeffries (S-in-L) of LaGrange, GA and Mercedes Jeffries Haralson (S-in-L) of Dublin, GA, Gene Lane (B-in-L), Joseph Kleckley (B-in-L), and June Kleckley Burkhalter (M-in-L) of Lexington, SC. Gene graduated from the University of South Carolina with a BS in Criminal Justice. He worked for the SC Department of Corrections as a Recruiter, an Operations Manager and in Internal Affairs. His hobbies include Genealogy (with brother Robert). Gene was President of the Orangeburg German-Swiss Genealogy Society. He also loved working in his backyard vegetable garden and accompanying his two grandsons on vacations. Senior Chief Gene Jeffries will be buried with honors at the Fort Jackson National Cemetery, Columbia, SC on September 26, 2025 at 10 am. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the St.Jude Children's hospitals or your local animal shelters in his honor.