Staff Sgt. Thomas A. Baysore, Jr.

MILTON - Staff Sgt. Thomas A. Baysore, Jr., 31, died Thursday, September 26 2013 in Afghanistan while serving his country. He was born on October 21, 1981 in Shamokin and is the son of Thomas A. Baysore, Sr. of Milton and Sandra L. (Benfer) Hackenberg of Winfield. Thomas married Jamie L. Baysore, who survives, on October 02, 2007 and they celebrated six years of marriage together. He was a graduate of the Milton Area High School class of 2000. Thomas joined the Army in June 2001 and was stationed at Camp Ederle, Italy where he had various assignments including vehicle driver, rifleman, automatic rifleman, and fire team leader. He was also assigned to the Harrisburg Recruiting Battalion, Harrisburg as a recruiter. His current assignment was to Charlie Co., 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, KY, as a squad leader. This was Thomas’ third deployment. First deployment was in March of 2003 to Iraq, the second in 2005 to Afghanistan. During his military career, Thomas received numerous awards including; three Army Commendation Medals, five Army Achievement Medals, one Valorous United Award, one Army Superior Unit Award, four Army Good Conduct Medals, one National Defense Service Medal, three Afghanistan Campaign Medals, one Iraq Campaign Medal with Arrowhead, one Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, two Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbons, one Army Service Ribbon, one NATO Defense Medal. U.S. Army Basic Recruiter Badge-Gold with three Star Sapphires, one Combat Infantryman’s Badge, one Expert Infantryman’s Badge, one Air Assault Badge, one Parachutist Badge, Parachutist Badge with Distinguished Device, Bronze Service Star, one Expert Marksmanship Badge. In addition to these awards, Thomas was also awarded a Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his ultimate sacrifice to his country. Thomas was a member of First Baptist Church, Milton. He enjoyed motorcycles, guns, his BMW, snowboarding in the Alps, traveling and his love for the Army. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his son, playing cars, planes and helicopters. In addition to his parents and wife Jamie, Thomas is survived by his five year old son; Darren J. Baysore and three sisters; Angela Fritzges of Milton, Jennifer Mabus of Milton and Deanna Baysore of Lewisburg. A gathering of friends and family will be held 9:00a.m. - 12:00p.m., Saturday, October 5, 2013 at the First Baptist Church, 316 Golf Course Road, Milton, PA 17847 followed by a memorial service at 12:00 p.m. with the Reverend Jamie Dries officiating. Military Honors will be performed by the Milton American Legion following the service. Burial will take place at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery, at the convenience of the family. The family will be lighting lanterns in memory of Thomas at 5:00p.m., Saturday, October 5, 2013. They have asked that anyone wishing to do so should turn an outside light on or light a candle in memory of him. Memorial contributions may be made to, the Wounded Warriors Project at, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 or at www.woundedwarriorproject.org Local arrangements are being handled by The Dale E. Ranck Funeral Service, 125 N. Front Street, Milton, PA 17847