Jack Leslie Gum, 69, formerly of Weston, began his Eternal Life on Sunday, May 2, 2021. He passed in the comfort of his own home, with loving family by his side, and under the compassionate care of Carroll Hospice after bravely fighting Stage 4 Esophageal Cancer. He was born in Weston on April 22, 1952 to the late Leslie Jennings Gum and Carolee Weekley Gum. Jack is survived by his wife and soulmate who he met in 1987. Jack married Carol Darlene Casto on July 14, 1994 and they celebrated 26 wonderful years of marriage. They enjoyed vacationing together, especially in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Jack loved gardening and grew multiple vegetables every year. Together they would can those vegetables. He was extra proud of his homegrown “maters”. Jack’s humor, stubborn nature and political commentary will be carried on and cherished by his daughter, Mandi Martin and husband, Jason, of Seven Valleys, PA; three grandchildren who will dearly miss their Pappy Jack and his stories of misadventures and words of wisdom: Maddisyn Pickett, Kayleigh Pickett and Cameron Martin; two sisters, Susie Determan and her husband John, and Hilda Perry and her husband Bill; one sister-in-law, Pam Davis; one Aunt, Patricia Bohan all of Weston and one Uncle, Sam Weekley of Columbus, OH; along with numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved sister Lois Gum Byrd and her husband Okey, of South Carolina. Jack graduated from Lewis County High School in 1971 where he excelled in sports. He was a wide receiver for the Lewis County Minutemen football team and was known for his speed on the field. His speed and ability for high-jumping landed him on the track team, as well. After graduation, Jack had a full scholarship to Marshall University, but decided to go to work for L. J. Gum and Son, owned and operated by his father. This is where Jack found his stellar talents in running heavy equipment and excavating. He was a commodity in the excavating field and had only partially retired in the fall of 2019, before the cancer no longer allowed him to work. Jack was a devoted, son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He cherished family gatherings and events with his closest friends. He loved good music, and was known for his moves on the dance floor. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed playing golf with his buddies. He was a HAM Radio operator and even helped the Gamber Fire Department in an emergency situation when a tornado touched down and took out all other lines of communication. He was a small town hero in the eyes of his family. He loved reading his West Virginia Magazine every month and especially looked forward to springtime in the mountains, in hopes he would be able to “dig for ramps”. Jack will be forever missed by those who knew him. He had a kind heart, a wonderful sense of humor, a knack for storytelling, and genuine soul. Those who knew him, loved him. Family and friends in Maryland will have the opportunity to gather at Jeffery N. Zumbrun Funeral Home, 6028 Sykesville Road, Sykesville, MD on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 from 3pm to 7pm. Jack will then be transported back home to West Virginia where a viewing and funeral service will be held at Hardman Family Funeral Home in Weston, on Saturday, May 8, 2021. The viewing will be held from 10am to 12pm with a funeral service following at 12:00 noon and interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens in Jane Lew, WV. In lieu of flower, sympathies may be expressed in the form of contributions to Carroll Hospice, 292 Stoner Avenue, Westminster, MD 21157. Online condolences may be made to www.jnzumbrunfuneralhome.com and hardmanfamilyfuneralhome.com.Hardman Family Funeral Home of Weston is honored and privileged to serve the family of Jack Leslie Gum.