Jean Claude Lestage was born in Gonaives, Haiti to the late Gabriel Mathon of Cap-Haitien and Cleomaine Daniel of Gonaives on June 21, 1941 at 6 am. As a child, he spent his early years living with his father, who was a Pastor. All of his adolescence and adulthood was spent living with his mother, a Business Women, in Gonaives. Jean Claude was a member of the Haitian Police force where he served as an officer up until 1973, when he ended up leaving for the Bahamas, and ultimately arriving to the United States. He was 32 years of age.

Upon arriving to the United States, Jean Claude ultimately made Belle Glade, Florida his home. During the 1980s and throughout the 90s Jean Claude found himself very active in the causes of Immigration and injustice as it relates to the Haitian community. As Head of the Haitian Solidarity Group, Jean Claude led several protests and demonstrations including seeking justice for an 11 yr. old girl who's arm in 1986, was broken after being paddled by a school principal at a local elementary school in the glades.

Jean Claude was also very good with his hands and completed various vocational trainings in Carpentry, Welding, and Residential Maintenance. Most of these trainings were completed at West Technical Education Center (West Tech) in Belle Glade, Florida. In 2010, Jean Claude suffered a stroke which left the entire right side of his body paralyzed. Despite his condition, Jean Claude still made the effort to remain active in his church, The First Haitian Church of God of Belle Glade. Prior to his stroke, Jean Claude worked as a Citizens Patrol officer for the Palm Beach County Sheriff's office.

Jean Claude Lestage is survived by his wife, Orecia Dalsas; his sons Jean Rony Lestage, Jean Gary Lestage, Daniel Lestage, Wisler Lestage, Emmanuel Lestage, Robert Lestage, Jean Charles Lestage, and Junior Lestage. His daughters, Adeline Lestage, Emmanuella Lestage and Junie Lestage. His grandchildren: Danael Lestage, Dany Lestage, Deftanie Lestage, Rosedaline Lestage, Djemson Lestage, Guerline Lestage, Francy Lestage, Djamsley Lestage, Djounise Lestage, Emmanuel Charles Lestage Jr, Jamal Nasson Lestage, Emma Charlene Lestage, Jarmarcus Lestage, Jayden Nathaniel Lestage, Jayson Lestage, Lizemma Lestage, Jasmine Kathryn Lestage, Jaylene Clarissa Lestage, Dona-Michelle Kaitlyn Lestage, Leia Renee Lestage, Amari Osakwe Lestage, Anaiya Zuri Lestage, Vanessa Lestage, Alex Lestage, Wesley Lestage, Wismaley Lestage, Shona Pierre. Great-Grandchildren: Emya Lestage, Indiyah Lestage, Armoni Lestage, Brooklyn Stewart, Damyr Bien-Aime, and Shamyria Bien-Aime.