SGM (Ret) Jack F. Fletcher

SGM (Ret) Jack F. Fletcher, age 83, resident of Columbus, died on Thursday, April 11, 2013 at Heritage Hills Long Term Facility, Columbus. Funeral services are scheduled at the Chapel of Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Road, Columbus on Saturday, April 13, 2013, 3 p.m. with Reverend Donnie Hudgens officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow at Parkhill Cemetery, 4161 Macon Road, Columbus. The family will receive friends at the funeral home prior to the service on Saturday, April 13, 2012 from 1-3 p.m. SGM Fletcher, son of the late Wright Fletcher and Bonnie Jackson Fletcher, was born February 16, 1930 in Calhoun, Georgia. He was retired from the U.S. Army where he served honorably for 30 years. During his distinguished career, SGM Fletcher served in two wars, two tours in Korea with the 24th and 25th Infantry Division as a combat soldier and noncommissioned officer. He served two tours in Vietnam from 1965 to 1966 as Senior Enlisted Advisor to an infantry battalion in Bong Son, Vietnam. In 1968 and 1969, he served as Platoon Sergeant in Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 18th Infantry Division (Big Red One) and as First Sergeant of the same company. SGM Fletcher retired in 1977 from Fort Benning as Sergeant Major of the Director of Training with the Infantry School. During his career, he was awarded many ribbons and medals to include the Bronze Star; Air Medal; Meritorious Service Medal; and Army Commmendation Medal. After his military retirement, he began a career as a Deputy Sheriff with the State of Georgia and then retired in June 1995 from West Central Georgia Rgn Hospital. He was a member of VFW, Post 5376 and American Legion, Post 35. SGM Fletcher was preceded in death by a daughter, Markey Baugh; a sister, Geraldine Woodring; and a brother, Robert Edward Fletcher. He is survived by two daughters, Paula (Robert) Smith of Columbus and Roberta (Lt. Buck-Adam) Badmaev of Fort Mitchell, Alabama; three sons, Jack Franklin (Vanessa) Fletcher, Jr. of Adairsville, Georgia, Fred Edward (Brenda) Fletcher of Calhoun, Georgia, and Jimmie (Pamela) Fletcher of Kingston, Georgia; one sister, Marion (Robert) Hudgens of Calhoun, Georgia; one brother, Roy (Mary) Fletcher of Adairsville, Georgia; eight grandchildren, B.J. Mitchell, Russell Richards, Jody Fletcher, Ashley Baugh, Keeli Hood, Jessi Parker, Megan Easley, and Emma Badmaev; seven great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews; other relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 5900 River Road, Suite 301, Columbus, Georgia 31904 or Columbus Hospice at www.columbushospice.com. Condolences may be offered at www.shcolumbus.com.