More detail on this person: Thomas Sherond
Batson, Jr. passed away on March 23, in Fairfield,
Calif. Mr. Batson was born in Long Beach, Calif.,
on Sept. 28, 1936. Mr. Batson graduated from
Jordon High School, Long Beach City College, and
Long Beach State College, in Long Beach, Calif.,
where he also was a star basketball player. He
later obtained two Masters Degrees, (one from
Cornell's School of Hotel Restaurant Management)
as well as his teaching credential. Mr. Batson
served as a Long Beach Police Officer from 1960 to
1962. He then joined the Air Force in 1962, and
served as an Air Force Officer until 1982. After
retirement from the Air Force he returned to the
Long Beach Police Department as a detective until
his retirement there. Since retirement, Mr. Batson
regularly substitute taught in a number of local
school districts, where he was fondly known by the
students as Mr. B, the Jeopardy teacher.
Mr. Batson had a life-long passion for sailing.
Some of his memorable journeys included sailing to
Hawaii, around the Caribbean and through the
Panama Canal, as well as up to the Arctic Circle.
From his years in the Air Force, he loved
traveling to visit his worldwide network of
friends. At home, he was known as a great host
who loved entertaining guests with his unique
cooking, notoriously funny stories, and Irish
tunes.
Mr. Batson is survived by his brother, Ron Batson
of Long Beach, Calif.; two daughters, son, and
seven grandchildren.
His eldest daughter, Terri Zaelke, resides in
Northridge, Calif., with her husband Edward Zaelke
and their four children, Lauren, Austin, Luke and
Caroline. His second daughter, Katherine Caldwell,
resides in Vacaville, Calif., with her husband
Michael Caldwell and their son Ryan. His son,
Thomas Sherond Batson, III, resides in Fresno,
Calif., with his two children, Priscilla and
Jacob.
Funeral services will be held at St.Peter's Chapel
-- Mare Island, Vallejo, Calif., on Sunday, March
28 (Viewing at 1 p.m.; services at 2 p.m.)
Graveside services with full military honors, will
be held at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in
Dixon, Calif., on Monday, March 29, at 1 p.m.
Mr. Batson loved San Francisco's Presidio,
therefore the family requests, in lieu of flowers,
donations to the Golden Gate National Parks
Conservancy ( www.parksconservancy.org) with
donations directed to The Presidio. Arrangements
are by Vaca Hills Chapel Funeral Home, 446-3233,
www.vacahillschapel.com
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters
Return to the Helicopter Pilot DAT name list
Return to VHPA web site
Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
Copyright © 1998 - 2024 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association