Honoring the Life of United States Army Veteran Sergeant Jesse Lee Carrigan

Jesse Lee Carrigan, 92, of St. Louis, MO, transitioned on Thursday, September 03, 2026, at the Missouri Veterans Home.

Jesse was born on April 30, 1934, to his parents Eddie and Hazel Carrigan. Jesse grew up in Hempstead County, Arkansas. His grandmother, Mrs. Ada Mae Fellows, the matriarch of the family, had a huge impact on his upbringing, as well as the upbringing of his siblings and immediate cousins.

After graduating from Blevins Training School in 1953, Jesse answered the call of duty and enlisted in the United States Army at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, in 1956. His military career spanned more than 20 years, with foreign service including tours in Germany and Vietnam.

During Jesse‘s first tour in Vietnam, while serving as a senior operating room specialist, his military infirmary came under attack. The bombing severely damaged the hospital, leaving many of his comrades dead and Jesse seriously injured. He was subsequently transferred to Germany to recover, but his unwavering dedication led him to voluntarily return to Vietnam for a second tour. Jesse‘s compassion and selfless commitment to his fellow soldiers were always his driving force.

Jesse Carrigan was a decorated soldier who was bestowed numerous medals and awards for his dedication and valor, including the Army Commendation Medal, Expert Field Medical Badge, Aircraft Crewman Badge, 82nd Airborne Division Certificate, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal with 1 Silver Service Star and 2 Bronze Service Stars. Sergeant Carrigan retired from the United States Army in June 1976.

Following Jesse‘s military service, he continued his passion for caring for others with a 22-year career as a surgical technician at the Federal Department of Veterans Affairs in Little Rock, Arkansas, and St. Louis, Missouri.

Jesse enjoyed spending quality time with family and lived in both Little Rock and St. Louis for many years. Jesse brought so much joy to everyone with his sense of humor, his wisdom, and his fierce, protective character. Jesse was a member of the Clayton Missionary Baptist Church in St. Louis, Missouri.

“An Incredible Life, An Incredible Career, for an Incredible Man”

He joins his parents and his sister, Pauline, in eternal rest.

Jesse is survived by his sister Irene, his son Dwayne (along with Judy, Orion, and Harlem), and a host of family and friends to celebrate his legacy.

We honor you, Sergeant Jesse Lee Carrigan. Job well done, my good and faithful servant. Take your rest.

Special Acknowledgements:

To our family’s earth angel, Cousin Charles Morrison, for your tireless support for Jesse.

To our family, Lori and Ron Johnson, thank you for your agency’s early intervention.

To Birdie and Doug, for your love, your special calls and visits.

To Eldridge Taylor, thank you for being an amazing support system.

To the Staff at VITAS Hospice Healthcare
Thank you for your service and warm care, and for supporting Jesse through his critical time.

To Each and Every Staff at the Missouri Veterans Home, St. Louis, Missouri. Thank you for your exemplary care and service over the last three years.

And lastly, and most wholeheartedly, thank you to Jesse’s personal caregivers, Ms. Diamond Whitby, Ms. Rosalind Williba, Ms. Tasheka Brown-Jones, and Ms. Shaina Weaver, for sacrificing your days, nights, weekends, and holidays to ensure Jesse always felt loved.

The Funeral service will be held on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at 11:00 am. The Visitation will be one hour prior at Carrigan Memorial Funeral Services, Inc., 336 E. Grand Ave., Hot Springs, AR 71901. The Interment will follow at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery, 1501 West Maryland Ave. NLR, AR. 72120.

You may sign the guest registry at http://www.carriganmemorial.com

Arrangements are entrusted to Carrigan Memorial Funeral Services