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.

Santana F. Munoz, Jr., United States Army Veteran

Santana Munoz was born on the King Ranch in Kingsville, Texas on December 9, 1931 and passed away on March 26, 2011, at the age of 79, in Austin, Texas.

Santana Munoz proudly served his country in the armed forces, beginning in 1951. He was a Corporal in the United States Army, 36th Texas Infantry Division during the Korean War. Later, he was appointed Captain of the Military Police Corps by General Thomas S. Bishop. He then served in the Army National Guard of Texas as a Staff Sergeant. Santana was a member of the VFW Post 8925.

Santana was a third-generation Kineno, born and raised on the King Ranch. The Kinenos - the King’s Men- came into existence in the mid-1850s when Richard King, founder of the King Ranch, went to a small village in Mexico and recruited all of the residents to join him on his ranch as his workers.

“ The 120 men, women, and children moved to the ranch, bringing along their livestock and chickens.

The Kinenos worked from the time they could walk until the day they could walk no more. The men worked as vaqueros, and the women tended to the cooking, cleaning, sewing, mending and child rearing.” ( King Ranch, A Homecoming, by Stephanie Elizondo Griest)

Committal Services were held at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen, Texas. When the Munoz family arrived, they were greeted by fifty American flags, blowing in the Texas wind, and the Patriot Guard Riders, who formed a line of American flags around the shelter during the service.

Two of Santana’s grandchildren told of memories of their grandfather. Military honors were rendered by the United States Army Honor Guard. The Army bugler played taps, and two Soldiers carefully folded the American flag that draped the gold coffin into the traditional triangle. It was presented by Staff Sergeant Page to Santana’s dear wife, Rebecca, on the behalf of the President of the United States, the United States Army and a grateful nation in thanks for his many years of dedicated service.

Santana F. Munoz, Jr. was then laid to rest on the plain of the cemetery and the American flag flew at half-staff at the top of the hill in his honor.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, three daughters, one son, three step-sons, one brother, 19 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and a host of other family and friends.

With thanks to the Mission Funeral Home, Austin, Texas for biographical information.

First Sergeant Charles "Chuck" Valdez, Jr., United States Army, Ret.

Chuck Valdez was born February 18, 1958 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina and passed away on March 22, 2011 in Temple, Texas.

Chuck proudly served his country in the United States Army for more than 20 years, holding positions ranging from Air Defense Artilleryman to Company First Sergeant. He served in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. His many military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Meritorious Service Medal.

Chuck is a member of a family that has over 120 years of combined service to the United States Army, with members currently serving in Afghanistan and Korea.

In his retirement, Chuck continued to serve the Army as a civilian contractor in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

Chuck was a father, son, brother, friend and soldier with a true zest for life that was unmistakably heard in his laughter, and witnessed in his actions.

On March 25, interment services were held at 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.

Final prayers were said by a Catholic Chaplain and full military honors were rendered by an Army Honor Guard. The detail of five rifles fired three volleys of fire, representing Duty, Honor and Country. The Army bugler played taps. The American flag that draped the olive drab casket was folded into the traditional triangle, and presented to Chuck’s daughter, Derin, on behalf of the President of the United States, the United States Army and a grateful country as thanks for his years of dedicated service.

First Sergeant Charles “Chuck” Valdez, Jr. was then laid to rest on the gentle slope 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 daughter, two brothers, five sisters, his dear mother, Lupe, and a host of other family, friends and fellow soldiers.

"One only need hear him express the word we most associate with his attitude, and that word is...

HOOAH!

.

Curt Rutledge, United States Marine

Curt Rutledge was born August 16, 1946. He passed away on February 26, 2011, at the age of 64, at his home in Georgetown, Texas, in the arms of his dear wife, Mo.

Curt proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps. He served in Vietnam as a Corporal and was a recipient of the Purple Heart.

Curt was a career educator, having taught eighth grade students for over 30 years. He was a scholar of History, Geography and United States Government. He was an amazing athlete, a long distance runner and bicyclist. He was a member of the Sun City Striders running club.

Curt was a volunteer for the Georgetown Animal Shelter. He was known as the “dog whisperer” there. Almost daily he would take shelter dogs for long runs around the nearby San Gabriel Park. He also donated his photography to the shelter to be auctioned at their annual Arts for Animals fund raising event.

Curt was an avid fan of the Chicago Bears.

Curt and his wife were world travelers and visited countries all over the world. One of Curt’s greatest pleasures in recent years was to run with his Red Heeler dog, Teddy, on the rural trails in the Sun City area of Georgetown. It was on one of these runs that Teddy discovered some poisoned meat, set out for coyotes. It took his life.

During the last nine months of Curt’s life, he endured two brain surgeries and numerous other procedures to help stave off his impending death from a brain tumor.

Curt’s ashes have been mixed with those of Teddy and are to be spread on the trail where they ran together, and at Lake Linwood in Minnesota.

On March 25, 2011 a memorial service was held for Curt 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 many family and friends who gathered there to remember Curt said The Lord’s Prayer. A friend of Curt told of the many ways Curt had touched the lives of all those present, many of whom were holding small American flags.

Two United States Marine Corps Sergeants carefully unfolded the American flag that laid next to Curt’s urn. A Navy Petty Officer played taps. The flag was then refolded into the traditional triangle and presented to Mo, Curt’s dear “spousal unit”, on behalf of the President of the United States, the Commandant of the United States Marine Corps and a grateful nation as thanks for Curt’s years of faithful service.

Flying at half-staff on the hill above, in his honor, was the American Flag.

Left to cherish his memory are Mo, two step-sons, five grandchildren and numerous other dear family and friends. His two sons, Danny and Scott, had predeceased him.


Semper Fi, Curt. Rest in peace.