James Berry, United States Army Veteran

James Berry was born in Austin, Texas on August 29, 1933 and passed away on the morning of January 12, 2011.

James was known as “Red” by his friends because of his bright red hair. He graduated from Austin High School and attended Texas A&M University.

James proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1954 to 1956 and achieved the rank of Sergeant.

James owned his own business in Austin which led to a career in automobile sales. He retired as the manager of the Used Car Department of Don Hewlett Chevrolet in Georgetown in 1998. James had a problem remembering the names of the many people he met over the years, so he frequently would call them “Hoss”. He was known for his loyalty, warmth, love and sense of humor.

In his later years, James was a volunteer at the Georgetown Police Department where he was dearly loved and respected.

He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and an avid motorcyclist, the proud owner of a Harley Davidson Sportster.

Funeral services were held on January 17 at the Ramsey Funeral Home in Georgetown, Texas. In attendance were the Patriot Guard Riders who formed a line of American flags at the entrance to welcome the arriving family and friends. After the service, the Riders led the funeral procession from Georgetown to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen for interment with military honors. At the cemetery awaited other Riders with fifty American flags blowing in the brisk Texas wind.

The flag draped casket was moved from the hearse into the committal shelter and the Riders formed a line of American flags around the shelter as final prayers were said and military honors were rendered. The Army bugler played taps, and the flag which covered the casket was folded into the traditional triangle. The flag was presented to James’ beloved wife, Zerifia, on behalf of the President of the United States, the United States Army and a grateful nation, in thanks for his faithful service.

James Berry was then laid to rest on the upper plain of the cemetery 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, two sons, two daughters, nine grandchildren and many other dear family and friends.

With thanks to the Ramsey Funeral Home and Crematorium for biographical information.

Fay Harris, Jr., United States Navy Veteran

Fay Harris, Jr. was born on February 23, 1947 in Temple, Texas and passed away on December 17, 2010, at the age of 63, in a Temple hospital.

Fay grew up in Temple, attended Dunbar High School, entered the United States Navy, and served his country from 1967 to 1978, including a tour of duty in Vietnam.

Funeral services were held on December 23 at the Branford/Dawson Funeral Home in Temple. The family and friends then accompanied the hearse to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen, Texas interment with military honors.

When they arrived, they were greeted by fifty American flags blowing briskly in the Texas wind, and the Patriot Guard Riders. The Riders formed a line of flags around the committal shelter as military honors were rendered by the United States Navy Honor Guard.

The Navy bugler played taps, and the flag that draped the casket was folded into the traditional triangle and presented to the family on behalf of the President of the United States and the Chief of Naval Operations, as a symbol of our appreciation for Fay’s service to this Country and a grateful nation.

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

Left to cherish his memory are two daughters, a son, two brothers, three sisters and two grandchildren.

With thanks to the Temple Daily Telegram for biographical information and to Amanda McCurdy Carter for photographs.

Steve Michael Richmond, United States Marine Corps Veteran

Steven Richmond was born November 16, 1970 in Cleveland, Ohio and passed away, suddenly and unexpected, on December 19, 2010 in Temple, Texas at the age of 40.

Steven’s family moved to Temple, Texas in 1974. He graduated from Belton High School in 1989 and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. His tour of duty included service in the Gulf War.

Steven left the Marine Corps in 1996, having achieved the rank of Corporal, and attended ITT Technical College in Austin, Texas where he earned an Associate Degree in Electronic Engineering. He went to work for Cirrus Logic in Austin for five years. He then went to work with his father at Jerry’s Radiator Shop in Belton.

Steven was a member of St. Luke’s Catholic Church, the Marine Corps League, VFW, American Legion, Knights of Columbus and the Harley Owners Group.

A Funeral Mass was held on December 23, 2010 at St. Luke Catholic Church in Temple. In attendance were the Patriot Guard Riders who formed a line of American flags at the entrance to welcome the arriving family and friends.

After the service, dozens of Patriot Guard Riders, American Legion Riders and former Marines led the funeral procession to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen, Texas.

Waiting at the cemetery were other Riders and fifty American flags blowing briskly in the north Texas wind.

Full military honors were rendered by a Marine Corps Honor Guard. The rifle detail fired three volleys of fire, the bugler played taps, and the flag that draped the casket was folded into a tight triangle. Three expended cartridges were placed into the folded flag, representing Duty, Honor and Country. The flag was then presented to Steven’s wife, Silvia, on behalf of the President of the United States, the Commandant of the United States Marine Corps and a grateful nation in thanks for his years of faithful service.

Steven Michael Richmond was then laid to rest on the windswept plain of the cemetery overlooking the Texas hill country as the American flag flew at half-staff on the hill above in his honor.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, a son, a daughter, his parents, a brother and many other dear family and friends.

With thanks to the Scanio-Harper Funeral Home for biographical information and to Amanda McCurdy Carter for additional photographs.

Sergeant First Class Alexander Oge, United States Army, Ret.

Alexander Oge was born on March 7, 1928 in Ville Platte, Louisiana and passed away on December 16, 2010, at the age of 82, in a Temple, Texas hospital.

Alexander proudly served his country in the United States Army, and retired in 1969, at the rank of Sergeant First Class, having served more than 22 years, including service during the Korean and Vietnam wars.

He was an active member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Disabled American Veterans. He was a past commander of American Legion Post No. 573.

Alexander was a member of the Rod and Gun Clubs of Furth/Nuremberg, Germany and Fort Hood, Texas. He enjoyed fishing and gardening, loved good music and was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan.

Funeral services were held on December 21, 2010 at the Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Killeen, Texas. In attendance were the Patriot Guard Riders, who formed a line of American flags at the entrance to welcome the arriving family and friends. The Riders then led the funeral procession to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen for interment with full military honors.

Waiting at the cemetery were more Riders and fifty American flags lining the roadway at the committal shelter. Alexander’s flag draped casket was removed from the hearse and carried into the shelter by an Army Honor Guard. The Riders then enveloped the shelter with a line of waving American flags.

The Army rifle detail fired three volleys of fire, representing Duty, Honor and Country. The Army bugler played taps. The American flag that covered the casket was folded into the traditional triangle, and presented to the family on behalf of the President of the United States, the United States Army and a grateful country, in thanks for Alexander’s many years of dedicated service.

Sergeant First Class Alexander Oge was then laid to rest on the gentle sloping plain of the cemetery, 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, two daughters, four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and many other dear family and friends.

With thanks to the Temple Daily News for biographical information and to Amanda McCurdy Carter for additional photographs.

Argle Lee Pearson, Sr., United States Army Veteran

Argle Pearson was born September 21, 1925 in Hardin County, Tennessee and passed away on December 8, 2010 in Texas at the age of 85.

Argle enlisted in the United States Army as a teenager and served his country by fighting the Germans in World War II.  At the end of that war, he went to work for Ford Motor Company in Hazelwood, Missouri, where he worked for more than thirty years.

Argle was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and served as Post Commander and District Commander.  At the time of his passing, he was a member of Post 9192 in Killeen, Texas.

He was a life member of the Shriners, and was a Lieutenant in the marching unit and also served as president.

Argle was always active in the community in which he lived.  He was a Boy Scout Scoutmaster, served as the treasurer of a citizens committee for better government, served five terms as Precinct Committeeman and two terms on the township board of auditors.

After retiring from Ford, Argle lived in Morris Chapel, Tennessee and coached his son’s Babe Ruth baseball team.

He enjoyed fishing, gardening, smoking cigars, drinking Keystone and barbecue.

In 1967 Argle married Grace Marie, the love of his life for the next 43 years.  Grace passed away on November 7, 2009 and was laid to rest at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen, Texas.

Funeral services for Argle were held on December 13, 2010 at the Harper-Talasek Funeral Home in Killeen.  After the services the family and friends motored to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery for interment services.

Upon their arrival, they were greeted by Patriot Guard Riders and fifty American flags blowing briskly in the chilly Texas air. 

The flag draped casket was moved from the hearse into the committal shelter, and the Riders formed a line of flags along two sides of the shelter as military honors were rendered.

Final prayers were said, a rifleman of the Veterans of Foreign Wars fired three rounds of fire, representing Duty, Honor and Country, and the Army bugler played taps.

The Army Honor Guard then folded the American flag that had covered the casket into the traditional triangle, and presented it to the family on behalf of the President of the United States, the United States Army and a grateful nation in gratitude for Argle’s service.

Argle Lee Pearson, Sr., was then laid to rest next to his dear wife on the upper 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 three sons, two daughters, five grandchildren, a brother, two sisters and numerous other dear family and friends.

With thanks to the Herald-Citizen for biographical information and to Amanda McCurdy Carter for additional photographs.

Link to news story in the Herald-Citizen

http://www.herald-citizen.com/view/full_story/7987771/article-Proud-to-have-my-Dad%E2%80%99s-name?

Link to memorial video

http://www.harpertalasekfh.com/video_popup.asp?id=16092&locID=41

Sergeant First Class James B. Triplett, Jr.

Sergeant First Class James B. Triplett, Jr., United States Army

James Triplett, Jr., known as Jimmy to  family and friends, was born May 29, 1973 in Burbank, California and passed away on November 28, 2010, at the age of 37, in Louisiana.

Jimmy grew up in Quincy, Indiana.  He proudly served his country in the United States Army and was stationed at Fort Polk, Louisiana at the time of his death.  He spent his life serving and protecting his country.

Funeral services were held on December 7, 2010 at the Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Killeen, Texas.  Present were the Patriot Guard Riders who formed a line of American flags at the entrance to welcome the arriving family and friends.  The Riders then led the funeral procession to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen.

Waiting at the cemetery were other Riders and fifty American flags lining the roadway at the committal shelter.

Jimmy’s flag draped casket was moved from the hearse into the shelter and full military honors were rendered by the United States Army Honor Guard.  The rifle detail fired three volleys of fire, representing Honor, Duty and Country.  The bugler played taps and the flag that was covering the silver casket was folded into the traditional triangle and presented to Jimmy’s best friend and girl friend, Chantil, on behalf of the President of the United States, the United States Army and a grateful nation.  Folded flags were also presented to his father, James, Sr., and his daughter.

Sergeant First Class James B. Triplett, Jr. was then laid to rest on the gentle slope of the cemetery as the American flag flew at half-staff at the top of the hill in his honor.

Left to cherish his memory are his girlfriend and her three children, his father, two daughters, a sister, a brother and many other dear family, friends and fellow soldiers.

With thanks to the Quincy Herald-Whig for biographical information