Jacob Kelly Lemieux, 41, passed away on Aug. 14, 2026, leaving behind a family that loved him and countless friends whose lives were brighter because they knew him.
Jake was born on Aug. 19, 1984, in Panama City Beach, Fla., to David Lemieux and Susan Akin Vaughn. He was preceded in death by his father, David Lemieux; his paternal grandparents, Marvin Carthell Lemieux and Florence Lemieux; and his maternal grandparents, Kelly and Helen Akin.
The second oldest of five boys, Jake lived the majority of childhood in Georgia with his brothers, Austin and Clint before moving to Wellington, Texas, where he was reunited with his father David, second mother Barbara, and his younger brothers, Wilson and Hank. Along the way, he developed the toughness, resilience, and larger-than-life personality that those who knew him came to love.
He graduated from Wellington High School in 2004 where he worked multiple jobs, was an award-winning track and field athlete, and enlisted in the Army National Guard.
On Sept. 1, 2006, at Stone Mountain’s “Last Blast of Summer” concert, Jake walked up to Stephanie, smiled, and asked, “Can I sit here?” That simple question began a love story that would define the next two decades. They married on Sept. 1, 2007, and spent 19 wonderful years building a life together, raising their son, Slade, and creating a home filled with laughter, music, and unforgettable memories.
Jake was a devoted husband, a proud father, and the kind of family man who was fiercely protective of the people he loved. Slade will always remember his daddy as the loudest voice in the stands, never missing a game or school event and always cheering with emphatic pride. His nieces and nephews knew him as the fun-loving “Uncle Snake,” whether he was giving fourwheeler rides, dancing with them in the living room, or convincing them to cheer for the Georgia Bulldogs.
Saturdays in the fall belonged to the Dawgs, and anyone who spent time around Jake knew there was no such thing as being a casual Georgia fan. He wore the red and black proudly, celebrated every victory like a championship, and believed, with unwavering conviction, that this was always going to be Georgia’s year.
Jake proudly served eight years in the Army National Guard from 2003 to 2011, achieving the rank of Sergeant. During a combat deployment to Iraq, he served as the battalion’s only welder, helping up-armor military vehicles for U.S., Italian, and Romanian forces while also serving as a gunner on combat missions. He was awarded the Iraq Campaign Medal, and he took great pride in serving his country and protecting those beside him.
Anyone who knew Jake knew that music was something he truly loved. He was rarely far from rhythm, drumming on tables, steering wheels, countertops, and just about any surface within reach. He kept two cajón drums in the back of his car, just in case an opportunity to make music appeared. Whenever he found a band playing live, he would confidently introduce himself to the drummer and ask if he could sit in for a song. Every now and then, they said yes.
He loved singing karaoke, working in his yard, growing tomatoes and Kentucky Wonder pole beans, and spending evenings playing basketball, Uno, or Sorry with Stephanie and Slade. His happiest moments were surrounded by music, whether he was behind a drum kit, singing along to a favorite song, enjoying a live performance, or celebrating a Georgia Bulldogs victory with family and friends.
With a personality that filled every room, Jake was stubborn, headstrong, patriotic, protective, charismatic, and never at a loss for words. He truly never met a stranger and had a remarkable ability to make people feel as though they had known him for years. If Jake loved you, you never had to wonder. And if he didn’t like you? Well, you knew that, too. He believed in loving hard and saying exactly what he meant.
Jake is survived by his beloved wife, Stephanie Lemieux; his son, Slade Lemieux; his mother, Susan Akin Vaughn; his “second mother,” Barbara Lemieux, who loved and cared for Jake as if she gave birth to him herself; his brothers, Austin Lemieux and wife Kim, Clint Lemieux, Wilson Lemieux and wife Heather, and Hank Lemieux. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews, Shyanne, Cody, Knox, Ethan, Ben, Nolan, Madilynn, Madden, Nora, Florence, and Alden as well as his lifelong friend Jonathan Needham, his wife Stephanie, and their children, Logan, Anna, and Jackson; along with many extended family members and dear friends.
A Memorial Service will be held in Georgia on his birthday, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, at Conner-Westbury Funeral Home, 1891 W McIntosh Rd, Griffin, Ga.
A Funeral Service will take place at 11 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 24, 2026, at the First Methodist Church in Wellington with Rev. Al Mixon, retired Church of the Nazarene pastor, officiating. Burial with Military Honors will follow in North Fairview Cemetery in Wellington. Arrangements are by Adams Funeral Home of Wellington.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Gary Sinise Foundation, whose mission of supporting veterans, wounded service members, first responders, and their families reflects causes close to Jake’s heart.
The family also believes there is no better way to honor Jake than to do something he loved: go hear live music, sing karaoke, gather with the people you love, strike up a conversation with someone you’ve never met, and, if it’s a Saturday in the fall, cheer a little louder for the Georgia Bulldogs.
Jake lived loudly, loved deeply, served honorably, and left every room a little brighter than he found it. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.
Sign the online guest book at www.adamsfuneralsvc.com.
