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: 01/11/2025
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