Jessie H. Acuña passed away Monday evening, April 24, 2017, after a battle with cancer, with family and friends at his side. Jessie was born on July 27, 1925, in Trent. He attended Trent schools and worked on the family farm until drafted into the U.S. Army in the summer of 1943. After completing basic training at Fort Ord, California, he was sent to Liverpool, England and assigned to the 26th Infantry Division. In November of 1944, Jessie was captured by German infantry while on patrol. He was a prisoner of war in Germany until the end of the war. For his service he was awarded the following: WWII Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 1 Bronze Service Star. His experience during World War II is featured in a University of Texas compilation of World War II combat soldier stories. Upon his return, he work for his father on the farm. In the late 1950s, he began a career with Sante Fe Railroad – a career that lasted more than three decades. He worked in parts of Oklahoma and Texas having the distinction of never incurring a workplace injury. On August 27, 1960, he married Mary Rodriguez Acuña in Brownwood. The two were together 56 years and had two sons. They were married at St. Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church where he remained an active parishioner. He served as a Eucharistic Minister, Usher, Greeter, and volunteered in many church activities. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus - Fourth Degree. In the community, he delivered Meals on Wheels. An avid walker, Jessie enjoyed spending his mornings making laps around Walmart and Heartland Mall where he made many friends. In his younger years, he played baseball, watched his favorite John Wayne movies and had a love for animals. He also had a special way with children. And in large crowds, he could often be found playing peek-a-boo or showing off his coin collection to the younger ones. Although he was a man of few words, his smile and spirit were impactful to those around him. He was a very devoted husband, provider, father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Mary; son, Gene; daughter-in-law, Kate; and three granddaughters, Grace, Caroline, and Emily. Additional surviving family members include his special niece Kay Martinez and her husband, Oscar; sisters-in-laws Amelia Vasquez, Alice Villarreal and her husband Pablo, and Olivia Farias and her husband Rick; his brother-in-law, Domingo Garcia; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and a wonderful church family. He was preceded in death by his youngest son, Michael Acuña, his parents, six brothers, five sisters, and a number of brothers-in-law and sisters-in law. A visitation will be held at Davis Morris Funeral Home on Thursday, April 27, at 6 p.m. followed by a rosary at 7 p.m. A Celebration of Life Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 28, at St. Mary's Queen of Peace Catholic Church with Father Francis Njoku officiating and assisted by Deacon John Specht. Interment will follow at the Greenleaf Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations/memorials be made to the Walker Cancer Center Patient Fund and the Knights of Columbus at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Arrangements under the direction of Davis-Morris Funeral Home, Brownwood, TX.