Major General (Retired) Jackson L. Flake, Jr.

Major General (Retired) Jackson L. Flake Jr. of Swansea, SC, aged 91, the son of longtime Swansea residents Jackson L. Flake Sr. and Lillian Flake, passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 27, 2024.  

He was born on September 19, 1932, and grew up in his beloved hometown of Swansea.  He graduated from Swansea High School at the age of 16 and then attended Clemson College where he graduated in 1953 as a Distinguished Military Graduate with a degree in Agronomy.  Soon after graduation, he married the love of his life, Lucie Godbold from Bamberg.  They were married for 70 years when he passed away. Jack or “Chippy,” as many knew him, spent his first years following graduation from Clemson as a junior officer in the United States Army in Kansas and Germany.  His heart, however, was set on farming, so once his initial commitment to the Army ended, he returned to Swansea to farm. However, he soon decided his young family needed a more constant income and went to work for the Social Security Administration.  He rose through the management levels in Florence, Anderson, Orangeburg, Greenwood, and Columbia, eventually becoming a District Director for the Social Security Administration.  He also pursued his love of the Army and joined the United States Army Reserve.  He spent more than 30 years in the Reserve and rose to the rank of Major General.  His career culminated with him serving as Commanding General of the 120th Army Reserve Command (ARCOM).  He was loved by his soldiers, Non-commissioned Officers, and Officers and was “in his element” when serving in the Reserve that he loved.  His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal among others.
His faith was extremely important to him.  He served as a deacon and the deacon chairman among other leadership roles in Swansea First Baptist Church and taught his Sunday School class for several decades. His faith, his family, and his country were most important to him. 

He is survived by his wife, Lucie, his son Colonel (Retired) Lee Flake (Donna) and two daughters, Linda Flake Hay, and Colonel (Retired) Vicki Flake Ball (Jeff), six grandchildren Elizabeth Flake, Major Will Hay (Malori), Patrick Flake (Kaity), Cameron Hay, Chandler Ball Madden (Chris), Abbie Ball Wilson (Michael), and six great-grandchildren.  He was predeceased by a son-in-law, William Hay, and two grandchildren, Jackson L. Flake IV and Madison Lee Ball. 

His funeral will be at Swansea First Baptist Church at 11:00 AM on Thursday, May 30th with a graveside service at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Columbia following the funeral. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. Northwoods Chapel. 

Memorials may be made to Swansea First Baptist Church PO BOX 550 , Swansea, SC 29160 or Swanseafbc.com/give