Staff Sergeant Gary W Laxson, 44, died at Liberty Regional Medical Center Oct. 9 after a sudden Illness. He was a native of Wurzburg, Germany, and had lived in Huntsville, Ala., for five years before enlisting in the US Army. He was a graduate of Butler High School in Huntsville. He moved to Covington, then joined the Georgia National Guard Service in Monroe and was later assigned to Ft. Stewart. He did two tours in Iraq and received the following awards: four Army Commendation Medals, three Army Achievement Medals, Army Good Conduct Medal, three Army Reserve Component Achievement Medals, Joint Unit Meritorious Award, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Overseas Ribbon (third award), Reserve Medal with (M) Device (fifth award) and a Posthumous Meritorious Service Medal.

He is survived by his wife Jessica Laxson of Hinesville; daughters Bree Jenkins of Monroe, Haley Laxson of Hinesville, Alexis Laxson of Hinesville; son William Laxson of Hinesville; parents Master Sgt Ret. and Mrs. William T Laxson of Huntsville; sisters Kimberly Laxson of Huntsville and Gina Guthrie of Covington; and brother Wallace Gavin Herndon of Monroe.

Visitation will be from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14, at Carter Funeral Home Oglethorpe Chapel with memorial service at 5 p.m. with full Military Honors. Remembrances can be made to Wounded Warriors Project, Attn: Donor Services, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL. 32256 or online at www.woundedwarriorproject.org in memory of Staff Sergeant Gary Laxson.