Family and friends are mourning the death of a nationally known disc jockey from Southeast Texas.

Jessie Samuels died July 18 at the Medical Center of Southeast Texas.

He was 73.

Samuels was a disc jockey in Beaumont for 51 years.

He was also a gospel promoter.

In February of 2003, State Rep. Joe Deshotel and the Texas Legislative Black Caucus honored Samuels for his work in the entertainment field.

A wake for Samuels will be held Thursday at 6 p.m. at East Mt. Olive Baptist Church at 800 Thomas Boulevard in Port Arthur.

His funeral is scheduled for Friday at 1 p.m. at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church at 3920 West Cardinal Drive in Beaumont.