Remembering Our Fallen Brothers With Great Honor and Respect

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)

Smiling man wearing formal military uniform

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.

Russell W. Shepherd Jr.

Start Date of Serviece: 1 November 1991
End Date of Serviece: 1 February 2000
Date of Death: 1 June 2011

JCU Member November 1991 – February 2000

Acworth, Ga.- Russell W. Shepherd Jr., 74, of Acworth, passed away Wednesday, June 1, 2011, in Heritage Hospice in Marietta. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday, June 6, 2011, at Sosebee Memorial Chapel with Dr. Dan Reed officiating. Interment will follow in Georgia National Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 9 to 10 a.m. Monday at the funeral home. Mr. Shepherd was a Vietnam War veteran. He retired from the U.S. Army as a Master Sergeant. He enjoyed his HAM radio and was a member of the amateur radio club. Russell was a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather. His survivors include his wife, Katsuko Shepherd of Acworth; children, Richard (Michelle) Shepherd of Acworth, and Kenneth (Kristyn) Shepherd of Wylie, Texas; and four grandchildren, Evan, Kara, Jordan and Rebekah. Sosebee Funeral Home of Canton is honored to serve the family. Sosebeefuneralhome.com.

Michael D. Moyse

Start Date of Serviece: 1 October 1985
End Date of Serviece: 1 April 1989
Date of Death: 25 June 2010

JCU Member October 1985 – April 1989

Michael David Moyse, 54, a lifetime resident of Tampa and Inglis, FL, has gone to personally thank his Lord and Savior for his blessings while here on earth. Mike was a New Years eve baby, born Dec 31, 1955 in Tampa, FL, to John Moyse and Geri Cole. He passed away unexpectedly on June 25, 2010. Michael proudly served in the United States Air Force from 1974-1995, as a Communications Systems Superintendent and honorably retired with the rank of Senior Master Sergeant. He received numerous awards, medals and citations in his career from around the world. Mike was personally selected by General John W. Vessey Jr., Special Presidential Emissary for POW/MIA Affairs, to join his official delegation to Hanoi, where Michael maintained vital communications links with Washington, D.C., Upon his return, he was personally requested to provide secure communications for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Secretary of Defense. While assigned to AFELM REDCOM/JCSE, MacDill Air Force Base, in Tampa, FL, Michael was a member of his squadron’s airborne paratrooper team. He was also stationed at the Pentagon, in Washington, D.C., AFELM, Joint Communications Unit at Ft Bragg, NC, and Soto Cano AB in Honduras. Following retirement, Michael fulfilled a long-time dream of owning his own bar, which he named appropriately, “The Mouse Trap Saloon”. He was passionate about motorcycles and participated in many fundraisers with other motorcyclists, providing toys and food for those less fortunate. Mike was active in the local VFW, and was recently elected Commander of the local VFW organization. He was an avid fisherman, going out for days at a time with a crew from Inglis. Mike was preceded in death by his dads, John Moyse and Dan Cole. He is survived by his son, Alex Moyse (wife Marisol) of Weston, FL, and his daughter, Chrissy Moyse Foy (husband Cory) of Bayonet Point, FL; his mother, Geri Cole of Spring Hill, FL; his brothers, Randy Moyse and Dan Cole, Jr. and his sister, Joanie Parks. Michael was a loving grandpa to Amber, Brittany, Marcial, David, Annabelle and Charlotte. He is also survived by his loving nieces and his two loyal companions, Mickey and Oscar. His family and friends will miss him terribly but find comfort in the knowledge that he is with his Lord above.

Harold S. Sheldt

Start Date of Serviece: 1 July 1992
End Date of Serviece: 1 January 1996
Date of Death: 15 August 2009

JCU Member July 1992 – January 1996

Retired U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Harold Steven Sheldt, 56, of 3541 Gables Drive, passed away Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009, in Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. He was born April 2, 1953, in Montgomery, Ala., to Charles H. Sheldt and the late Edrie Smith Sheldt. He retired from the Joint Communications Unit (JCU), Fort Bragg, North Carolina with more than 23 years of service. He was a veteran of Beirut and Desert Shield/Storm, and was currently working at the United States Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School. He is survived by his wife, Linda Sheldt; their son, Harold Steven Sheldt II and his wife, Meredith, of Angier; five grandchildren, Skylar Sheldt, Harold Steven Sheldt III, Stephanie Jones, Phillip Johnson, Chris Gantt; great-grandson, Grayson Jones; and four brothers; Allen Sheldt of Houston, Texas, Chuck Sheldt of Pensacola, Fla,. Jeff Sheldt of Atlanta and Mike Sheldt of Atlanta. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug.21, 2009, in Rogers and Breece Funeral Home chapel in Fayetteville with Chaplain Lt. Col. Mark Knox officiating, immediately followed by a graveside service at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery in Spring Lake with the rendering of full military honors. Services entrusted to Rogers and Breece Funeral Home of Fayetteville.

James W. "Dolly" Parton

Start Date of Serviece: 1 September 1983
End Date of Serviece: 1 October 1993
Date of Death: 18 June 2006

JCU Member September 1983 – October 1993

Retired Army Master Sgt. James William (Dolly) Parton, 55, of Fayetteville, formerly of Lincoln County, MO., passed away unexpectedly Sunday, June 18, 2006, in Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. Mr. Parton was born Oct. 1, 1950, in Paragould, Ark., a son of James M. and Myrtle Clark Parton. He was a retired master sergeant in the Army. Surviving are his mother, Myrtle Parton of Foley, MO.; his former wife, Barbara Parton of Fayetteville; his companion, Cindy Sandoval of Fayetteville; children, Jennifer and Lawrence Byington of Troy, MO., Angela and Mike Oshia or Troy, and Rhonda and Jimmy McMillan of Wade; siblings, David and Melonie Parton of Arizona, Barbara and Mickey Hollis of Troy, Tammy Parton of California, Debbie Wendt of Foley, MO., and Trina Snow of California; nine grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, James Parton; and a son, David Linder. The funeral was held at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St Louis, MO.

Carlos W. Rivers Jr.

Start Date of Serviece: 1 November 1984
End Date of Serviece: 1 January 1995
Date of Death: 8 July 2004

JCU Member November 1984 – January 1995

Retired Chief Warrant Officer Carlos William Rivers Jr., 60, of Fayetteville, died Thursday, July 8, 2004, in Franklin Regional Medical Center in Louisburg. Mr. Rivers served 29 years in the Army before retiring in 1995. He was a Tandem Master and a Veteran of the Vietnam War and the Persian Gulf War. He later was a guidance counselor for the Cumberland County Schools and a member of St. James Lutheran Church. Mr. Rivers is survived by a son, Carlos W. Rivers III of Benson; two daughters, Robin R. Silva and Susan R. Benoit, both of Fayetteville; a brother, Charles E. Rivers of Vermont; a sister, Shirley E. Miller of Vermont; and five grandchildren.

Dinzel J. Parsons

Start Date of Serviece: 1 January 1981
End Date of Serviece: 1 September 1987
Date of Death: 5 February 2002

JCU Plank Holder January 1981 – September 1989

BRIDGEPORT, WV.– Denzil “Jack” Parsons II, Age 52, of Joy Lane, Bridgeport, West Virginia passed away February 5, 2002. He was born July 2, 1949. His parents, Denzil Parsons and Isabelle Ferrell Parsons, survive in Whigham, Georgia. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife Dena Parsons. Jack was a decorated Special Forces Green Beret and hero to many. He was a member of Brookside Baptist Church of Big Bend, WV. He was a loving father of six children, Joyce Stafford of Fayetteville, NC, Stephanie Collins of Florence, SC, Beth Rine of Clarksburg, and Aubrey, Ryan and Chelsea, at home; five grandchildren; two sons-in-law; two sisters, Rebecca Ann Parsons, North Hollywood, CA, and Vangie Smith, Elyria, OH; two brothers, John Parsons, Indian Head, MD, and James Parsons, Warrenton, VA. He was greatly loved and will be missed by many. A private family visitation will be held on Friday evening, prior to the public funeral service, which will be held at 7 p.m. at Burnside Funeral Home, 607 S. Virginia Ave., Bridgeport. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jack’s memory to the American Cancer Society, 300A Scott Ave., Morgantown, WV 26505.