Thomas Test Obituary

SFC Thomas Jesse Test, USA, Ret. passed away December 20, 2025, at the age of 79. Jesse
was born in Lewisburg, West Virginia, to the late Augustine Thomas and Alice Lorraine Test.

Jesse served his country in the Naval Reserves for two years and then in the United States
Army where he retired after 20 more years of honorable service. He was a veteran of the
Vietnam War where he served in the 101st Airborne Division, was a Master Parachute Rigger
with over 600 jumps (he's not going down this time, he's going up!) and served in the Military
Police. He received the National Defense Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Master
Parachutist Badge, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of
Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and Army
Commendation Medal. After retiring from the military, he worked as an over-the-road truck driver for 20 years.

Jesse was a lifelong learner and avid lover of history. He completed two years of college while in
the Army and continued reading historical works for as long as his health allowed. His hobbies
included building models, watching historical films, and spending time with his children and
grandchildren who affectionately called him "Grumpypa."

He is survived by his devoted wife of 55 years, Deborah Lynn Test; four children - Lorie Patricia
Test, Daniel Wayne Test (Alexis Thomas), Tonya Marie Test-Burgess (Shane Burgess), and
Thomas Robert Test (Lyla Wood); four siblings - Patrick Ronnie Test, April Lorraine Gavin, David
Anthony Test, and Colleen Elizabeth Test; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his son, Michael David Test and his brothers Joseph Clayton Test and Michael Andrew Test.

Jesse was a cherished husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. Jesse will be
remembered for his kindness, humor, humility, and wisdom. Despite battling various illnesses in
the last decade of his life, his gentle spirit and sense of humor never wavered. His memory will
be honored with the deepest love and the greatest respect by his many friends and family.

Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, December 27, at 1:30 pm at St. Thomas Aquinas
Seminary at 1208 Archbishop Lefebvre Ave, Dillwyn, VA 23936. Interment with Military Funeral Honors will be held immediately following the service in the Seminary cemetery.

Flowers may be sent to Dunkum Funeral Home, or in lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jesse's honor to the Veterans of Foreign Wars or The Parkinson's Foundation.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith"

- 2 Timothy 4:7

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present
nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

- Romans 8:38–39