Remembering Our Fallen Brothers With Great Honor and Respect

John G. Young

Start Date of Serviece: 1 August 1995
End Date of Serviece: 1 September 2000
Date of Death: 28 September 2015

JCU Member August 1995- September 2000

July 12 1971 – Sept 28, 2015 John Gerald Young, 44, of Madison Al. is survived by his wife Michelle and daughter Alyssa of Colorado Springs, parents Dennis and Beverly of Athens, brother Alex of Toney, sister Allyson Young and brother in-law Jeff Scardine of Idaho and California. He is preceded in death by his mother Donna Mae Young. John graduated from Sparkman High and was a 10-year veteran who traveled the world with the U.S. Navy. He was employed by Wyle of Huntsville. John was very involved in CASA, HATS grants and CAS Cares. John was active in the Von Braun Astronomical Society and loved astronomy, star gazing and drag racing. But most of all he loved his family. John was a loving and caring father, son, brother and friend. He was generous, thoughtful and always encouraged others to be the best they could be. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him. An informal memorial service will be held at the VBAS Planetarium on Monte Sano Mountain on Sept. 10 at 1PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in John’s name to NAMI Huntsville 701 Andrew Jackson Way NE, Huntsville, Al 35801.

Joseph H. King

Start Date of Serviece: 1 September 1994
End Date of Serviece: 1 September 2001
Date of Death: 26 September 2015

JCU Member September 1994- August 2001

KING, SGM Joseph H. “Joe”, (US Army-Retired), 48, of Dover, FL, passed away on Saturday, September 26, 2015. He is survived by his wife, Denise Holland King; son, Christopher King; parents, Gibby King, Jr. and Betty King; brothers, Richard Allen King and Mark Andrew King and sisters, Mary King Peake and Connie Stidham. A Celebration of Life service will be held 10:00 A.M. Thursday, October 1, 2015, at Southern Funeral Care, 10510 Riverview Drive, Riverview, FL 33578, with the family receiving friends one hour prior to services. Interment, with full military honors, will follow at 12:30 P.M. at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Wounded Warrior Project, for the children. Please sign guestbook at SouthernFuneralCare.com.

Dirk T. Shelton

Start Date of Serviece: 1 June 2009
End Date of Serviece: 1 July 2014
Date of Death: 14 July 2014

JCU Member June 2009- July 2014

Dirk Thomas Shelton, 29, of Fayetteville, NC, formerly of Corbin, KY, passed away July 14, 2014. Born June 10, 1985, in Corbin, KY, he was the son of Tom and Jenny Shelton who survive.
A 2004 graduate of Corbin High School, he entered the United States Air Force in 2005 proudly serving his country in combat tours and numerous missions overseas, including six deployments (four to Afghanistan, and one each to Somalia and Kuwait). Sgt. Shelton’s heroism, service, and contribution earned him the Bronze Star, the Joint Service Achievement Medal (2nd OLC), and the Air Force Achievement Medal. Personal hobbies included working on his truck and bike and building various things.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents: Jim and Betty Shelton and by two childhood best friends: Jerry Allen Baker and Ian Hall. In addition to his father and mother, he is survived by his wife, Maria Shelton; sister, brother-in-law, and niece: Morgan Shelton Taylor, David Taylor, and Reagan; maternal grandparents: Earl and Mary Pennington; aunts, uncles, and cousins: Mike and Vic Moore, Jon and Amy; John and Penny Hammons, Johnny B., Julie, and Whitney; Joe and Missy Shelton, Emily, Jamie, and Joey; Martin Pennington, Jake, Brett, and Allie; father-in-law and mother-in-law: Israel and Nimfa Ocasio; and sisters-in-law: Melanie, Marissa, and Mia. He leaves behind special friends Willie Henderson, Paul Viars, and Adam Cox, along with his military family whom he dearly loved. Other family members and innumerable dear friends also survive, to mourn his passing.
Officiated by Pastor Adam Cox and Pastor Tim Thompson, funeral services will be held at 6:00 P.M. Thursday, July 24, 2014, at Grace on the Hill United Methodist Church located at 1632 Cumberland Falls Highway Corbin KY 40701.
The family of Dirk Shelton will receive friends Thursday from 2:00 P.M. until the funeral hour at 6:00 P.M. at the church. The Wright Patterson Air Force Base Honor Guard will conduct military honors.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to the Special Operations Communicators Association www.thesoca.org or Shriners Hospital for Children in Lexington, KY www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/locations/lexington. Hart Funeral Home, Inc., is in charge of arrangements. Please visit www.hartfhcorbin.com to leave messages of condolence.

Thomas R. Allen

Start Date of Serviece: 1 March 1984
End Date of Serviece: 1 March 1984
Date of Death: 17 May 2014

JCU Member (2nd SEA) March 1984- August 1986

Retired Chief Master Sergeant Thomas R. Allen, 74 of Seven Lakes West, West End, NC passed Saturday May 17, 2014 at the FirstHealth Hospice House. He was born May 26, 1940 in San Diego, CA to William Allen and Harriet E. Allen. Chief Allen served 28years in the U.S Air Force and served in Vietnam for two years. He served with total dedication and devotion as a Combat Controller at numerous locations around the world. He was preceded in death by his father, William Allen, his mother, Harriet Allen, and his brother, William (Billy) Allen. He is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 50Years, Glenda Mitchem Allen, two daughters, Shoshanna Allen Richardson (Jeff Richardson), Sherrie Allen Cato (Robert Cato). Four grandchildren, Casey and Cody Cato and Hannah and Sarra Richardson, One brother, Dr. John A Allen (Carolyn) and two nephews, William Allen (daughter Lauren) and John T. Allen (Laura Allen), and various cousins.
A vigil for the deceased will be held on Wednesday May 21st 2014 from 7 to 9PM at the Boles Funeral Home in Seven Lakes.
A Funeral Mass will be held 11AM Thursday May 22nd 2014 at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church at 300 Dundee Rd. in Pinehurst With Rev. Edward J. Burch officiating. Rite of Committal will be at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.
Memorial donations can be made in memory of Thomas Allen to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation PO Box 89367 Tampa, FL 33689

Nathaniel J. Williams

Start Date of Serviece: 1 June 2012
End Date of Serviece: 1 February 2014
Date of Death: 13 February 2014

JCU Member June 2012- February 2014

Petty Officer First Class Nathaniel J. Williams was born 20 September 1979 in Groton, Connecticut. Nathaniel passed on February 13, 2014. A graduate of Cabool High School’s Class of 1997, he enlisted in the United States Navy as an Electronics Technician on 24 July 1997. He attended basic training at Recruiting Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois and on completion of his Advanced Electronics Training, he received orders to his first command, Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Detachment, Hampton Roads, Virginia. Most recently he was assigned to the Joint Communications Unit, Fort Bragg, North Carolina where he served as a special operations communicator. During his 16 years of service, Nathaniel served in Operations IRAQI FREEDOM, NEW DAWN, and ENDURING FREEDOM. His awards and decorations include the Joint Service Commendation Medal (3rd Award), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3rd Award), and numerous others. He is survived by his wife Diane, brother Nathan, sister Shannon, mother Debra, and father Joe Williams.

James F. Pellegrini

Start Date of Serviece: 1 April 1981
End Date of Serviece: 1 August 1985
Date of Death: 23 October 2013

JCU Plank Holder April 1981- August 1985

PELLEGRINI JAMES F. “JIM” Age 60, of Waldorf, MD, on Wednesday, October 23, 2013. Born December 1, 1952, in Pittsburgh, PA, he was son of the late Frank S. Pellegrini and the living Angelina Bucchino Pellegrini. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Marian Pellegrini; his son, Daniel R. Pellegrini; his daughter, Jennifer L. Pellegrini; his granddaughter, Destiny Pellegrini; and his sisters, Judith McNeely and Rebecca Haas. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Anita Davis. Mr. Pellegrini was a Ret. Master Sgt. of 24 years with the United States Air Force. Following his retirement, he was the inventory manager with Darcars-Kia in Marlow Heights. He was a lifelong Steelers and Penguins fan. He enjoyed sci-fi on TV on Saturdays with his granddaughter and was the best dad ever. Friends welcome Tues. 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at WM. SLATER & SONS, INC., (412-381-3345), Virginia Ave. and Kearsarge St., Mt. Washington. Funeral Mass in St. Mary of the Mount Church, Wednesday 10 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.

Karl A. Roberts Sr.

Start Date of Serviece: 1 February 1993
End Date of Serviece: 1 April 1997
Date of Death: 21 October 2013

JCU Member February 1993 – April 1997

CSM Karl A. Roberts Sr., Former JCU member (FEB 1993 – APR 1997) and most recently Senior Enlisted Adviser of the 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), died Oct 21, 2013 of natural causes while on leave at his residence in Georgia. He is survived by his wife, 4 sons and 2 daughters.
CSM Roberts was last assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion(formally STB-K) , 8th Army, Yongsan, Korea as the Battalion Command Sergeant Major. He attended Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. CSM Roberts is a native of Hawkinsville, Georgia.
His assignments include: Infantry Training Center (ITC), Fort Benning, Georgia, 39th Transportation Battalion, Kaiserslautern, Germany, U.S. Special Operations Command/ Joint Special Operations Command, 82nd ABN (3/505 INF) and 1st COSCOM, 44th Med BDE, 2nd CMMC all at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, 8th PERSCOM, Camp Coiner, Korea, 7th Special Forces Group, Group Support Battalion, Fort Bragg, North Carolina and Headquarters Command, USAG, Fort McPherson. His duty positions consist of Squad Leader, Drill Corporal, Platoon Sergeant, Unit Mail Clerk, Unit Supply Sergeant, Instructor, Battalion/Brigade S-4 NCOIC, First Sergeant, and Senior Supply Excellence Award Lead Evaluator. He also served as the Fort McPherson/Gillem, Georgia Garrison Command Sergeant Major, being the last soldier to sign out due to BRAC 2005 on 27 August 2011.
CSM Roberts’ military and civilian education consists of PLDC, BNCOC, ANCOC, SGM Academy, Battle Staff Course, First Sergeant Course, Special Operations Survival Course (SERE), Force Mod Course Combat Life Saver Course, Airborne, Jump Master (82nd), Air Assault and Pathfinder. CSM Roberts holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and is currently pursuing his Master’s Degree in Human Resources from the University of Maryland. CSM Roberts has deployed to Just Cause, Desert Storm/Desert Shield, Kosovo, Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan (Operation ENDURING FREEDOM).
CSM Roberts’ awards and decorations include Legion of Merit, BS (3 OLC), DMSM, MSM (4 OLC), ARCOM (8 OLC), AAM (6 OLC), JCOM (7 OLC), JSAM (3 OLC), Joint Meritorious Unit Award (9 OLC), Panama, Somalia & Kosovo, Army Good Conduct Medal (9th Award), National Defense Service Medal (2), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Kuwait Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Award (4), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (3), Southwest Asia Kuwait Liberation Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal NATO & Kosovo Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the United Nations Medal, the NATO Medal with one gold service star, the Army Superior Unit Award (4 OLC), Combat Action Badge (CAB), Pathfinder Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, and Air Assault Badge and parachutist badges from Germany and Australia.

Randy L. Amsler Jr.

Start Date of Serviece: 1 May 2007
End Date of Serviece: 1 September 2013
Date of Death: 4 September 2013

JCU Member May 2007 – September 2013

MSgt. Randy Lee Amsler Jr., 33, entered into eternal life on Friday, Sept. 5, 2013 at Fayetteville, North Carolina after a long fight with Leukemia and Lymphoma.
Randy was born June 12, 1980, in Albany, New York, the son of the late Randy Lee Amsler Sr. and Laurie Mallary Amsler. A graduate of Ballston Spa High School, class of 1998, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force as a Sensor Systems Apprentice on December 2, 1998.
He attended basic training at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas, and upon completion, received orders to his first command, 354th Maintenance Squadron, Eielson AFB, Fairbanks Alaska. Most recently, he was assigned to the Joint Communications Unit on Fort Bragg, where he served as a communications technician.
During his 15 years of service, Randy served in Operations IRAQI FREEDOM, NEW DAWN and ENDURING FREEDOM. His awards and decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, and the Air Force Achievement Medal.
Survivors: wife, Melissa Cotton Amsler; children, Joshua and Alicia; mother, Laurie Amsler; brothers, Tom Rigney and Dan Rigney.
Visitation: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 16, 2013 at Guerrero-Dean Funeral Home, 500 E. Main St., Grand Prairie, TX, 75050, where funeral services will be conducted at 11:30. Burial: DFW National Cemetery.
JCU Highland Games Tribute (coming soon)
North Texas Patriot Guard Mission for Randy, Arrival in Dallas (coming soon)
North Texas Patriot Guard Final Itinerary (coming soon)

Gary R. Gipson

Start Date of Serviece: 1 January 1981
End Date of Serviece: 1 March 1985
Date of Death: 23 October 2012

JCU Plank Holder January 1981 – March 1985

Gary “Gip” R. Gipson, 66, of Hattiesburg, MS, died October 23, 2012 at Forrest General Hospital. Services will be at 11 a.m., Friday, October 26, 2012, at Moore Funeral Chapel in Purvis, followed by burial in Caney Baptist Church Cemetery.

Mr. Gipson was a member of Caney Baptist Church and the Elks Lodge, B.P.O.E. 599. He worked in construction and served in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, C.L. and Joyce Gipson and a brother, Garland Gipson.

He is survived by his wife, Wanda Gipson of Hattiesburg; a daughter, Teresa Hardiman (Brian) of Hattiesburg; a son, Kelvin Gipson (Barbara) of Hattiesburg; two sisters, Anita Polk and Amelia Gipson, both of Baxterville; two brothers, Larry Gipson of Purvis and Austin Gipson of Levittown, Penn.; four grandchildren, Brandy Necaise, Kaitlin Gipson, Brian Hardiman, Jr. and Paige Gipson; and a great-granddaughter, Anna Faith Necaise.

Christopher E. Cunningham

Start Date of Serviece: 1 December 2007
End Date of Serviece: 1 September 2011
Date of Death: 4 September 2011

JCU Member December 2007 – September 2011

Fayetteville- Gunnery Sgt. Christopher E. Cunningham, 37, of Fayetteville, died Sunday, Sept 4, 2011. Chris Cunningham was born Sept, 28, 1973, in Leavenworth, Kan. A graduate of Leavenworth High School, class of 1992, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps as a basic radio operator on Oct. 14, 1992. He attended basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, and upon completion, received orders to his first command 5th Battalion, 11th Marines at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. Most recently, he was attached to the Joint Communications Unit on Fort Bragg, where he served as a communications technician, Integrated Communications Vehicle Team Chief and liaison officer. During his 19 years of service, Chris served in Operations Wild Fire, Summer Heat, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. His awards and decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (posthumously), Joint Service Achievement Medal (3rd award), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and numerous others. He is survived by his wife, Michelle; son, Christopher; daughter, Casandra; brother, James; mother. Joyce; and grandmother Gladys. The family will receive friends from 9 to 10:45 a.m. today, Friday, Sept. 9, 2011, at Rogers and Breece Funeral Home chapel with full military honors. Services entrusted to Rogers and Breece Funeral Home.