Randolph McLeod, United States Army Veteran

Randolph McLeod, Mac to family and friends, was born May 2, 1940 in Sanford, North Carolina. He passed away on April 14, 2011 in Temple, Texas at the age of 70.

Mac proudly served his country in the United States Army for seventeen years, achieving the rank of E-5. He then worked as a Correctional Officer for Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

Interment services with military honors were held on April 22, 2011 at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen, Texas. In attendance were the Patriot Guard Riders who formed a line of American flags around the committal shelter during the service.

The Army Honor Guard folded the American flag that draped the coffin into the traditional triangle and ceremoniously passed it to an Army Staff Sergeant. The Army bugler played taps, and the flag was solemnly presented to Etta, Mac’s wife of forty years, on behalf of the President of the United States of America, the United States Army and a grateful nation in thanks for his many years of dedicated service.

Pastor Roscoe Harrison, Jr., then said the final prayers and read:

"Forasmuch as it hath pleased Almighty God of his great mercy to take unto himself the soul of our dear brother here departed, we therefore commit his body to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in sure and certain hope of the Resurrection to eternal life, through our Lord Jesus Christ; who shall change our vile body, that it may be like unto his glorious body, according to the might working, whereby he is able to subdue all things to himself."

The service concluded with the pall bearers placing red roses on the coffin.

Randolph McLeod was then laid to rest on the grassy plain of the cemetery as the American flag flew at half-staff on the hill above.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, three sons, one daughter, seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends.

“A Prayer for Dad”

Lord, Shepherd my dad today

In green pastures let him lay

To still waters guide his way

Restoreth his soul, I pray.

Lead him in the paths of right

Through the valley give him light

When he’s afraid ease his fright.

Prepare a table of spoil

Annointest his head with oil

Give to him a cup that’s royal

Let goodness follow his toil.

And thy mercy cease never

May he dwell in Thy house forever

This I ask in Jesus’ name, Amen.

With thanks to Branford/Dawson Funeral Home for biographical information.

Sergeant First Class David L. Wood, United States Army, Ret.

David Wood was born May 21, 1949 at Comanche, Texas and passed away on April 11, 2011, at the age of 61, at Killeen, Texas.

David proudly served his country in the United States Army for over twenty years, during the Vietnam War and retired with the rank of Sergeant First Class. In his retirement, he worked for Lockheed Martin Corporation in quality control. David was a helicopter mechanic his whole life.

Interment services with full military honors were held on April 14 at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen. In attendance were the Patriot Guard Riders who formed a line of American flags around the committal shelter during the service.

Major Allen of the United States Army Chaplain Corps said the final prayers, and led the gathered family and friends in The Lord’s Prayer.

The United States Army Honor Guard rendered full military honors, befitting of a career soldier. The Army bugler played taps. The detail of five rifles fired three volleys of fire, representing Duty, Honor and Country. The Honor Guard folded the flag that draped the chocolate casket into a tight triangle and passed it ceremoniously to an Army Staff Sergeant. He presented the flag David’s dear wife, Rhonda, on behalf of the President of the United States, the United States Army and a grateful country as thanks for his many years of faithful service. Rhonda, in turn, presented the flag to their son, Jerramy, a Master Sergeant in the Army.

Sergeant First Class David Wood was laid to rest on the sloping plain of the cemetery, and the flag flew at half-staff at the top of the hill, in his honor.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, his son, a daughter, two sisters, five grandchildren and many other dear family and friends.

God Bless America

While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,
Let us swear allegiance to a land that’s free.
Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,
As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer.

God Bless America,
Land that I love
Stand beside her, and guide her
Thru the night with a light from above.
From the mountains to the prairies,
To the oceans white with foam.
God bless America,
My home sweet home.

Irving Berlin

With thanks to Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home for biographical information.

Samuel Baggett, United States Army Veteran

Samuel Baggett was born May 14, 1955 in Temple, Texas. He passed away on March 31, 2011 in Temple at the age of 55.

Samuel was a graduate of Temple High School. He proudly served his country as a Sergeant in the United States Army. His military decorations and awards include the Army Achievement Medal and three awards of the Good Conduct Medal.

After his discharge, he worked as a truck driver for C.S.T. At the time of his death he was a member of the Corinth Baptist Church.

On April 8 interment services were held at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery Columbarium at Killeen, Texas. In attendance were the Patriot Guard Riders who formed a line of American flags around the committal shelter.

The United States Army Honor Guard rendered the military honors. The bugler played taps. The Honor Guard carefully unfolded the American flag that rested against the urn, and refolded it in the traditional triangle. The Army Staff Sergeant presented the flag to Samuel’s family on behalf of the President of the United States, the United States Army and a grteful country as thanks for his many years of faithful service.

Samuel’s cremains were then sealed into a niche of the columbarium wall, for all time, as the American flag flew at half-staff in his honor at the top of the hill.

Left to cherish his memory are three sons, one daughter, one brother, four sisters, two grandchildren and many other dear family and friends.

Family Tribute

God saw you getting tired,
And a cure was not to be,
So He put his arms around you,
And whispered, “Come with Me.”

A golden heart stopped beating,
Hard-working hands at rest,
God broke our hearts to prove
He only takes the best.

It’s lonesome here without you,
We miss you more each day.
Life doesn’t seem the same,
Since you’ve gone away.

When days are sad and lonely
And everything goes wrong,
We seem to hear you whisper,
“Cheer up and carry on.”

Each time we see your picture,
You seem to smile and say,
“Don’t cry, I’m in God’s keeping
And we’ll meet again someday.

“We Love You”

With thanks to Branford/Dawson Funeral Home for biographical information.

CWO4 Loyd E. Pederson, United States Army, Ret.

Loyd Pederson was born November 17, 1932 in Cranfills Gap, Texas and passed away on April 5, 2011 at Killeen, Texas at the age of 78.

Loyd proudly served his country in the United States Army for over twenty years. His duty tours included service in Germany, Korea, Panama and two tours in Vietnam. Loyd was a member of the Eastside Baptist Church in Copperas Cove, Texas, was a Mason and a Shriner.

Interment services were held on April 7 at the Central Texas States Veterans Cemetery at Killeen. In attendance were the Patriot Guard Riders who formed a line of American flags around the committal shelter as final services and military honors were held.

The United States Army Honor Guard rifle detail fired three volleys of fire, representing Duty, Honor and Country. The Army bugler played taps. The honor guard folded the flag that draped the casket into the traditional triangle. The flag was ceremoniously passed to an Army Captain who presented it to Loyd’s dear wife of 58 years on behalf of the President of the United States, the United States Army and a grateful country as thanks for his many year’s of faithful service to the country.

Loyd was then laid to rest on the gentle sloping plain as the American flag flew at half-staff in his honor at the top of the hill.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Billie, two daughters, two sons, a sister, two brothers, ten grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and a host of other dear family and friends.


With thanks to the Killeen Daily Herald for biographical information.

Ricky Simmons, United States Army Veteran

Ricky Simmons was born April 14, 1961 in Norfolk, Virginia and passed away on March 28, 2011, at the age of 49, in Temple, Texas.

Ricky was a graduate of Chesapeake High School and served his country honorably in the United States Army.

He was a member of the Corinth Baptist Church in Temple, and worked for Sabe Electric Company, and as a cook for the Roadhouse Restaurant.

Interment services, with military honors, were held on April 1, 2011 at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen, Texas. In attendance were the Patriot Guard Riders of Central Texas who formed a line of American flags around the committal shelter during the service.

Minister Wanda Nichols led the gathering in The Lord’s Prayer and read the “ashes to ashes” rite.

The United States Army Honor Guard rendered the military honors. The Army bugler played taps and the Honor Guard folded the flag that covered the silver casket into the traditional triangle. It was then presented to Vira, Ricky’s dear wife of 27 years, on behalf of the President of the United States, the United States Army and a grateful nation as thanks for his faithful service.

Ricky Simmons was then laid to rest on the plain of the cemetery as the American flag flew at half-staff in his honor on the hill above.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, one step-son, two step-daughters, four brothers, three sisters and many other dear family and friends.

When Tomorrow Starts Without Me

When tomorrow starts without me, and I’m not there to see;
If the sun should rise and find your eyes,
All filled with tears for me;
I wish so much you wouldn’t cry,
The way you did today,
While thinking of the many things,
We didn’t get to say.
I know how much you loved me,

As much as I loved you,
And each time that you think of me,
I know you’ll miss me too;
But when tomorrow starts without me,
Please try to understand,
That an Angel came and called my name,
And took me by the hand,
And said my place was ready,
In heaven far above,
And that I’d have to leave behind,
All those I dearly love.
And when the earth claims my limbs,

Then I will truly dance.

(anonymous)

With thanks to Temple Daily Times News for biographical information.

CWO4 Howard Fred Norris, Jr., United States Army Ret.

Howard Norris was born in Tarentum, PA on March 13, 1952 and passed away on March 23, 2011, at the age of 59, in Ann Arbor, MI.

Howard served his country in the United States Army for twenty years, retiring in 1990. He was a Master Pilot and flew Apache helicopters. In the late 1980’s he was recruited to teach actor Tommy Lee Jones how to fly helicopters for his role in the movie “Fire Birds”. Howard’s many military decorations include the Army Commendation Medal.

On April 1, 2011 interment services were held at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen, Texas. In attendance were the Patriot Guard Riders and fifty American flags to honor this veteran.

Final prayers were said by Captain Wallace of the United States Army Chaplain Corps. Military honors were rendered by the United States Army Honor Guard. The detail of five rifles fired three volleys of fire, representing Duty, Honor and Country. The Army bugler then played taps, as all present stood and saluted.

The Honor Guard carefully folded the American flag that covered the silver casket into the traditional triangle and passed it to an Army First Lieutenant, who then presented it to Howard’s family on behalf of the President of the United States, the United States Army and a grateful nation, as thanks for his many years of faithful service.

A shadow box containing Howard's medals and insignia was presented to the family, as were framed drawings of the Apache helicopter.

CWO4 Howard Norris, Jr. was then laid to rest on the wind-swept plain of the cemetery as the American flag flew at half-staff, in his honor, on the hill above.

Left to cherish his memory are his son, four daughters, five grand-children, his brother and numerous other dear family and friends.




With thanks to Beck Chapels for biographical information.