Leon Jacobs passed Saturday, May 20 at the age of 93. Leon was born in Vicksburg, MS, the son of Leon L. Jacobs Sr. and Reinette Lewinthal Jacobs. A graduate of Carr Central High School in 1948, Leon went on to attend Mississippi State before enlisting in the United States Air Force during the Korean conflict. Leon enjoyed a distinguished career in the Air Force which took him all over the world, serving as a tail gunner on B-36 aircraft, as a Radar Operator and Weapons Control Offices in all-weather fighter aircrafts and ss a navigator assigned to worldwide photo mapping and weather during the Vietnam War. Notably, Leon was assigned Chief Airborne Instrumentation for ARIA (Apollo Range Instrumented Aircraft) in support of NASA space missions, where he acted as the communications liaison at Houston Space Flight Control during the Apollo 11 mission to the moon. Upon retiring from the military, Leon returned to Vicksburg where he enjoyed a career at Grand Gulf Nuclear Station in plant engineering and met many of his dear friends.  Leon was the President of the Anshe Chesed Jewish Congregation for eight years and a lifetime member of the community that brought him much joy and lasting friendships.  An avid sportsman, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and playing golf. Leon is survived by two daughters Diane Meyer (Jay) and Jill, daughter-in-law Rebecca, six grandchildren and two great grandchildren, along with his dearest friend and companion, Ann Gerache. He is preceded in death by his wife Phyllis, son Michael, and dear friend Betty England.

Visitation will be held  Tuesday, May 30 from 4:00pm-6:00pm at Fisher-Riles Funeral Home, 5000 Indiana Avenue, Vicksburg. Funeral services will be held Wednesday,  May 31 at 10:00am at the Anshe Chesed Temple, 2414 Grove St, Vicksburg with burial immediately following in the adjacent cemetery.