Military Funeral Services for Charles Henry Esque Sr., age 72, of Picayune, who passed away Tuesday, May 20, will be held Saturday, May 24, at 11 a.m. at Resurrection Life Worship Center.

Charles Henry Esque Jr., said that his father’s passing was unexpected and due to complications from an infection that set in after pneumonia.

Esque, Sr. was a native of Logan, West Virginia and served his country as a Sgt. First class in the U.S. Army for more than 20 years before retiring to Picayune in 1984.

“My father was always really witty and always had something to say,” Charles Esque Jr. said. “Since he passed, the family has found out that he helped many people in the community and we were completely unaware of his involvement in helping people.”

Charles Esque Jr. and his father both worked for the Picayune Police Department. Charles Esque Sr. started with the department in 1996 and Charles Esque Jr. began his career in law enforcement with them in 1997.

Today, Charles Esque Jr. works for the Slidell Police Department but said that he holds the Picayune Police Department and Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department in high esteem, just as his father did.

“He loved his family, he loved everybody,” Charles Esque, Jr. said. “He was always playing with the kids. He loved his grandchildren and he believed in his community and the police department.”

His daughter, Lisa Villa, described her father as patriotic and warm hearted.

“People are coming forward to say what a mentor he was and how much his support meant to them,” Villa said. “We had no clue how many lives he touched. I don’t think he realized it either. He was very humble; what you saw was what you got.”

Picayune City Manager Jim Luke described Esque, Sr. as someone who had integrity and honor.

“I worked with him at the police department and city hall for many years,” Luke said. “He was a class act and he served this city well. He was a respected and honorable man, who was appreciated in the community, at the police department and within city hall.”

Picayune Assistant Chief Jeremy Magri said that he had known Charles Esque Sr. since he was a teenager and enjoyed working with him in law enforcement.

“He was a great man and will be missed,” Magri said. “We are going to be holding a military / police funeral. Officers will man the casket and the Picayune Police Department will work in coordination with military on escort services for the funeral.”

Rev. Allen Hickman will officiate the service.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carmel Esque and Hazel Gertrude Johnston Esque Ellis and two grandchildren, Scott and Jessica Thornhill.

Survivors include his wife of more than 43 years, Jeanette Louise Smith Esque; two daughters, Angela Dawn Esque Thornhill and husband Jeff, Lisa Marie Esque Villa and husband Abraham; two sons, Sean Carmel Esque and wife Stacey, Charles Henry Esque Jr. and wife Jessica; nine grandchildren, Veronica, Devin, Sharon, Jaycee, Charles III, Cameron, Robert, Sierra, and Allie; two great grandchildren, Madalina and Jeremy; brother, Rolland Carmel Esque and wife Deborah.

Esque Jr. said that his father’s last advice to him was about family.

“Family is everything you have,” Esque Sr. said. “Take care of your family. Be proud of your name, respect is everything.”

The family asks for everyone who knew Charles to please come to the funeral and pay their respect.

Burial will be in New Palestine Cemetery under the direction of McDonald Funeral Home, with full honors.