Petty Officer First Class Charles Gilbert Maxey, USN (Ret.)

Charles Gilbert Maxey was born April 9, 1939 and passed away on March 5, 2010, at the age of 70, at his home in Jarrell, Texas.

Charles Maxey served his country proudly in the United States Navy for 20 years, retiring as a Petty Officer First Class.  After his retirement, he served Williamson County, Texas as a Deputy Sheriff.   He took great pride in impacting the lives of those he encountered as he served in that capacity.  He was a faithful member of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Walburg, Texas.

On March 11, Patriot Guard Riders from the Austin and Centex regions gathered at the St. Peter Lutheran Church in Walburg to honor this fallen veteran.  The Riders formed a line of American flags at the entrance of the church to welcome family and friends as they arrived for the funeral services.  Also present were Deputies of the Williamson County Sheriff’s Department and officers of the Austin Police Department to provide traffic control for the ensuing funeral procession.

At the conclusion of the services, the Riders stood at attention and saluted as the casket was moved from the church to the waiting funeral hearse.  The Riders then escorted the hearse to the nearby cemetery for final prayers and military honors.

At the cemetery, the Riders enveloped the gathering with a line of American flags as the Lord’s Prayer was recited by the family and many friends.

A United States Army rifle detail fired three volleys of fire, representing Honor, Duty and Country.  A bugler played taps.  The flag that had draped the casket was folded into a tight triangle by two Navy Petty Officers and presented to the family on behalf of the President of the United States, a grateful nation, and a proud Navy.

Petty Officer First Class Charles Gilbert Maxey was then laid to rest on a warm, sunny spring day, on the gentle slope of the St. Peter Lutheran Cemetery.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Nora, five daughters, one son, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and many other family and dear friends.


With thanks to the Gabriels Funeral Chapel for biographical information.

SSgt. Truehart Brown, United States Army (Ret.)

Truehart Brown was born June 12, 1941 in Granger, Texas and passed away on February 25, 2010.

Truehart served his country proudly in the United States Army, for over 22 years, traveling the world multiple times.  His service included service in Vietnam from 1966 to 1968.  He was a drill sergeant at Fort Sill, Oklahoma from 1970 to 1975.  He retired in 1982 as a Staff Sergeant.

He then went to work for the United States Post Office until his retirement in 2004.

Funeral services were held on March 5 at the Fuller-Sheffield Funeral home in Austin, Texas.  Patriot Guard Riders from the Austin region were on hand to form a line of American flags at the entrance to welcome the arriving family and friends.

The Riders then rode in the funeral procession to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen for the rendering of military honors and final interment.

At the cemetery, the flag-draped casket was transferred from the funeral hearse to a horse-drawn hearse.  That hearse slowly proceeded to the committal shelter as family and friends followed on foot.  When the hearse arrived at the shelter, it was welcomed by a line of American flags and Patriot Guard Riders from all over central Texas standing at attention and saluting this fallen veteran.

The casket was moved, by an Army honor guard, from the hearse into the shelter.  The Patriot Guard Riders then wrapped a line of American flags around the shelter as final prayers were said and military honors were rendered.  Taps was played by an Army bugler.  A rifle detail fired three volleys of fire, representing Honor, Duty and Country.  The flag that had covered the casket was folded into a tight triangle and presented to his wife on behalf of the United States Army and a grateful nation.

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

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Yo, five children, six grandchildren and many other dear family and friends.

He will be loved and missed for all time.


With thanks to the Austin American-Statesman for biographical information.

CW2 Vernon Hunter, U. S. Army (Ret.)

Vernon Hunter died on February 18, 2010 in Austin, Texas, at the age of 67.  He was murdered, at his work place, when a suicidal killer crashed a small private aircraft into the office building where Vernon was employed as a group manager for the Internal Revenue Service.  He was the sole employee of the building who died in the ensuing conflagration.

Vernon grew up in Orangeburg, South Carolina, graduated from Orangeburg Wilkinson High School, in 1959, and immediately entered the United States Army.  His service of over 20 years took him to Korea, and to two tours of duty in Vietnam.  He retired as a Chief Warrant Officer 2. 

Vernon went to work for the Internal Revenue Service in El Paso, and then in Austin, Texas.  He had over 27 years of service with the IRS, and was only three years from having 50 years of federal service.

Vernon was a loving and devoted spouse to his wife, Valerie, also an employee of the IRS.  He served his church, the Greater Mount Zion Baptist Church, as an usher.  He enjoyed Rudy’s barbecue and rooting for the Washington Redskin.  His pastor remembers him as being a man “who was genuinely kind.”  “He was always smiling, always wanted to help, and would go way out of his way just to help.”

Funeral services were held on February 26 at the St. James Missionary Baptist Church, a venue large enough to accommodate the over 2000 attendees. 

As the mourners arrived at the church they were welcomed by a line of American flags along the street, held aloft by dozens of Patriot Guard Riders in honor of a fallen veteran and comrade.

After the services, a funeral procession, including four buses, several limousines and over 50 Patriot Guard Riders, traveled to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen, Texas for final interment services and the rendering of full military honors.

At the cemetery, the flag draped casket was transferred from the hearse to a horse drawn hearse.  The horses slowly carried Vernon on the final leg of his last journey,  delivering him to the committal shelter.  The road to the shelter was lined by 50 American flags and scores of Patriot Guard Riders.  Vernon’s family and dear friends watched as the hearse stopped, and the casket was removed and carried into the shelter by the United States Army Honor Guard.

Final services were held and formal military honors were rendered.  A rifle detail fired three volleys of fire, representing Honor, Duty and Country.  Taps was played by the Army bugler.  The flag covering the casket was then folded into a tight triangle and presented to Vernon’s wife on behalf of the United States Army and a grateful country.


Vernon Hunter was then laid to rest on the gentle slope 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, three children, seven grandchildren, one great-grandchild, three step-children and many other dear family and friends.


Vernon’s personal philosophy:  “If I can help somebody, as I go along this way, then my living shall not be in vain.”



News links:

http://photoblog.statesman.com/tag/vernon-hunter

http://www.kvue.com/video/featured-videos/Family-mourns-plane-crash-victim-at-burial-85580957.html



With thanks to the Austin American-Statesman, Cook-Walden Funeral Home, and The TandD.com for biographical and historical information.

Spec. Bobby Justin Pagan

Bobby Justin Pagan was born and raised in East Austin and died on February 13, 2010, at the age of 23, in Zhari province, Afghanistan.  He was killed while on foot patrol when a suicide killer rode a motorcycle up to the patrol and detonated an explosive device.  Also killed in the explosion were Staff Sgt. John A. Reiners, 24, of Lakeland, Florida and Sgt. Jeremiah T. Wittman, 26, of Darby, Montana.

Bobby had graduated from Anderson High School in Austin, Texas, where he was known as a fun loving jokester with an infectious smile.  After graduation he worked for a  time at an automobile dealership, and joined the Army in 2008.

At the time of his death, he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado.

He was scheduled to return home in a matter of weeks for his mid-tour leave, bringing with him his fiancée, a soldier in the same unit, to introduce her to his family.

Instead, he returned home on February 24, in a flag draped coffin, on a chartered jet airplane. 

When the plane arrived at the Austin-Bergstrom International airport that afternoon, Patriot Guard Riders were on hand to salute yet another fallen soldier.  The Riders stood at attention and saluted as the coffin was transferred from the plane to the waiting funeral hearse.  The Riders then escorted the hearse to the Mission Funeral Home in east Austin.

On the morning of February 26, a contingent of Patriot Guard Riders escorted that hearse, lead by officers of the Austin Police Department, to the Santa Julia Catholic Church, for funeral services.  As the hearse arrived, the sidewalk was lined by more Patriot Guard Riders, holding American flags, to welcome the arriving family and friends.

All in attendance stood at attention, and saluted, as the flag draped casket was removed from the hearse and carried into the church by an Army honor guard.

At the conclusion of the services, the funeral party traveled to the Assumption Cemetery for final interment and the rendering of formal military honors.  A rifle detail fired a volley of three shots, representing Honor, Duty and Country.  Taps was played by an Army bugler.  The American flag, that had draped the casket, was folded into a tight triangle and presented to Bobby’s mother, by a Brigadier General, on behalf of the United States Army and a grateful nation.

Spec. Bobby Justin Pagan was then laid to rest in a custom casket, its lid painted burnt orange and emblazoned with the emblems of his beloved Texas Longhorns and the United States Army.

Left to cherish his memory are his mother, four sisters, three brothers, his fiancée and

numerous other dear family and friends.


With thanks to the Austin American-Statesman for biographical and historical information.

Major James Rowe Cox, United States Army (Ret.)

James Rowe Cox was born February 16, 1938, in Marshall and passed, away, at the age of 72, at his home, on February 20, 2010.

Major Cox graduated from Marshall High School in 1956, attended Texas A&M University and completed his college career at Sul Ross State University.

Major Cox served his country in the United States Army and retired after 20 years of heroic, honorable service.  He served two tours of duty in Vietnam, as a helicopter pilot, and received numerous military decorations.  They include the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star medal, 17 Air Medals, with V for Valor, and the Army Commendation Medal.

In his retirement years, he worked in the mortgage banking industry.

He was a lifelong member of the DAV, American Legion, VFW, 12th Man Foundation, Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, Mortgage Bankers Association and Fort Hood Area Board of Realtors.

Major Cox was a devoted and loving father and granddaddy and he loved to fish at his fishing shack by the pond.

Funeral services were held on February 25 at the Sheppard Funeral Home in Copperas Cove. 

Major Cox’s flag draped casket was delivered, by hearse, to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen, where it was transferred to a horse-drawn carriage.

The carriage, followed by a United States Army honor guard and scores of family and friends, delivered the casket the last two hundred yards to the committal shelter.

Patriot Guard Riders had gathered at the shelter and placed 50 American Flags along both sides of the road.  They, then, stood at attention and saluted as the carriage arrived and the casket was moved from the carriage to the shelter by the honor guard.

The Riders then formed a flag line around the shelter as final services were conducted and full military honors were rendered.

A rifle detail fired three volleys of fire, representing Honor, Duty and Country, a Army bugler sounded Taps, and the flag covering the casket was folded into a tight triangle by the honor guard.   It was presented to the surviving spouse, by an Officer of the United States Army, on behalf of the Army and a grateful nation.

Major Cox was then laid to rest, under a bright blue sky, on the wind-swept grassy 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, Jane, one daughter, two sons, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

The Lord is my shepherd,  I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures;
He leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul.  He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:  for thou art
With me;  thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:  thou anointest my head with oil:  my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all
The days of my life:  and I will dwell in the house of
The Lord for ever.

With thanks to the Killeen Daily Herald for biographical information.

Sgt. Clinton William Dickey, United States Army

Clinton William Dickey was born July 10, 1987 in Waco, Texas and died February 13, 2010 at his residence in College Station, Texas at the age of 22.

Sgt. Dickey proudly served his country for five years in the United States Army.  His service included two tours of duty, over the span of three years, in Afghanistan, having returned only last September from his most recent deployment.  He was a psychological operations specialist assigned to the 345th Psychological Operations Company, Airborne, in Dallas, Texas.

At the time of his death, he was a sophomore at Texas A&M University, majoring in microbiology, in hopes of one day becoming a doctor.

Just last month, his family and friends sat in the pews of St. Louis Catholic Church, in Waco, Texas, as he married his high school sweetheart, Samantha.

On Friday, February 19, they returned to that church for his funeral.  He was remember as being fun loving and charismatic, a devoted husband and son.

On the morning of February 19, Patriot Guard Riders gathered at the Oakcrest Funeral Home in Waco, Texas and rode in the procession from the funeral home to the church, delivering the casket of Sgt. Dickey for the services.

Those Riders then went to the veterans cemetery at Killeen and prepared for the arrival of the scores of family and friends.  Fifty American flags were set out along the road at the committal shelter, and Riders stood at attention along those flags as the procession arrived at the cemetery.


The Riders then formed a line of flags around the shelter as final services were conducted and formal military honors rendered by a United States Army Honor Guard.

A "platoon" of Non-commissioned Officers stood in formation to the south of the shelter in honor of their fallen comrade.

A seven rifle detail fired three volleys of fire, representing Honor, Duty and Country.  Taps was played by an Army bugler.  And, as the sound of Taps faded in the Texas Hill Country, the flag that had draped Sgt. Dickey's casket was folded into a tight triangle and presented to Samantha Dickey, on behalf of a grateful nation and the United States Army, by Brigadier General Katherine Kasun.  A flag was also presented to Sgt. Dickey’s mother, Beverly.

Sgt. Dickey was posthumously awarded the Army’s Meritorious Service Medal for his service to the Army and this country.


Sgt. Clinton William Dickey was then laid to rest, on a cold, blustery day, on the gentle slope of the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, as the American flag flew at half-staff, in his honor, on the hill above.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Samantha, his parents, Dale and Beverly Dickey, two brothers, a sister, grand-parents, and numerous dear family, friends and fellow soldiers.

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the hills, from the lake,
From the sky.
All is well, safely rest,
God is nigh.

With thanks to Oakcrest Funeral Home and the Waco Tribune-Herald for biographical information.

Jessica Johanna Hendrix, United States Navy Veteran

Jessica Hendrix was born March 3, 1980 at Fort Hood, Texas and passed away February 3, 2010 at a hospital in Temple, Texas.

Jessica graduated from Denison High School in 1999 with honors.  She then proudly served her country in the United States Navy.

Funeral services were held February 6 at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Killeen, Texas.

On February 8 a funeral procession, led by Patriot Guard Riders and American Legionnaires, carried Jessica’s remains to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen.

The Patriot Guard Riders and Legionnaires formed a line of American flags at the committal shelter as military honors were rendered by a United States Navy honor guard.  Taps was played by a Navy bugler.  The flag covering Jessica’s casket was folded into a tight triangle by the honor guard and presented to her mother on behalf of the President of the United States.

Jessica was then laid to rest on the wind-swept plain of the cemetery as the American flag flew at half-staff , at the top of the hill, in her honor.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, her mother and father, two sisters, two brothers and many other dear family and friends.


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