Corporal Jason LaFleur

Jason was born in Houston Jan. 28, 1979. He was the first of two children born to Chuck and Kei. Jason went to school in Lockhart from the first grade until graduation in 1997. He attended Ole Miss for two years and attended Southwest Texas State University for one year. Although Texas is and always will be his home, he moved to Durango, Colo. in 2000, working and skiing a

s much as he could. Jason wanted to make a change in his life, to make it mean something. So, in 2004 he made a conscious decision to join the Army and for the next year, worked out and got in shape for the task ahead.
He enlisted in the Army in May 2005 and was stationed in Ft. Richardson, Anchorage Alaska, by that October. He spent the next year training for his turn in Iraq, which came up in October 2006. Jason showed his commitment to the Army when he re-upped upon his arrival to “the big sandbox.” He was thriving in the Army life and committed to his career. He knew and accepted the risks and was prepared to do his best. Jason will be awarded a Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his actions on Aug 4. In addition to these medals, he also received an Army Commendation Medal, Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Second Award, Combat Action Badge and Parachute Test Badge. Jason died in service in Baghdad, Iraq on Aug. 4, 2007.
Jason surprised the family by showing up for Father’s Day this year. He spent his leave with the family, resting and catching up. He was an avid Longhorn Fan and music lover.
We were so hopeful that he would survive, as he only had five months left on this tour. It wasn’t to be. Jason is coming home to Austin to stay. Final plans are pending.
Jason leaves behind his sister Megan LaFleur; father Chuck LaFleur; and mother and step-father, Kei and Alan Torres. He also leaves behind his other brother Shane Wilcox; sister Shannon Wilcox; and niece Maya Wilcox; his Nanny, who he loved like a grandmother; Jane Dowers and all of the Vance family; his aunts, uncles and cousins; Marcia and Doug Brown; Matt, Chris, and Becky, Mike and Quita Warden; Michaela and Caitlin; Pat and Barbara Warden and Lacy; and his friends, all who will miss this dynamic person.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in his name to Operation Homefront, or to the Spartan Heroes. Spartan Heroes is an organization that benefits the soldiers and families in his Brigade. Find more information at these links: http://www.operationhomefront.net/index.asp . They may also be contacted with this address and telephone number. Operation Homefront, (714) 444-0075 or toll free (800) 722-6098 1631 Sunflower Ave., Suite C-34, Santa Ana, Calif., 92704, http://www.spartanheroes.org. Please help honor his memory by helping the soldiers and families of his comrades.