BATSON THOMAS S

CPT Thomas S. Batson was a potential VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 03/23/2010 at the age of 73.5
Vacaville, CA
Date of Birth 09/28/1936
Served in the U.S. Air Force
This information was provided by Barry Geller, SSN search Sep 2010

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

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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024


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