Show of respect: Patriot Guard riders accompany Dayton soldier as he is brought home for burial

The hearse carrying the body of a U.S. soldier, Levi Garner, 25, of Dayton, is greeted by supporters as it makes its way to Pace-Stancil Funeral Home in Dayton on May 28.

The body of U.S. soldier Levi Garner, of Dayton, was returned home Thursday from Fort Stewart, Ga. Garner, 25, was killed May 18 in a car crash with an alleged drunk driver.

Army Specialist Gerald Levi Garner

His casket was greeted at Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston by Garner’s family, Patriot Guard Riders and Pace-Stancil Funeral Home of Dayton. As the procession neared Dayton, it was greeted by Dayton firefighters and police officers, who ushered the procession through town, and friends, family and supporters of the Garner family, who stood with their hats and hands over their hearts, some holding U.S. flags.

Garner’s funeral is set for 10 a.m. Friday at First Baptist Church in Dayton. Interment will follow at Magnolia Park Cemetery on FM 1008 in Dayton.

Dayton firefighters and police officers helped the procession for U.S. soldier Levi Garner as it made its way through Dayton on Thursday. His body was flown in from Fort Stewart, Ga., to Bush Intercontinental Airport before being driven to Dayton by Pace-Stancil Funeral Home.
Friends of U.S. soldier Levi Garner help usher his casket into Pace-Stancil Funeral Home in Dayton on Thursday as his family members look on.
Friends and supporters of the family of U.S. soldier Levi Garner turned out Thursday to hold flags and show respect as the hearse carrying his body made its way into Dayton on Thursday.
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Before creating Bluebonnet News in 2018, Vanesa Brashier was a community editor for the Houston Chronicle/Houston Community Newspapers. During part of her 12 years at the newspapers, she was assigned as the digital editor and managing editor for the Humble Observer, Kingwood Observer, East Montgomery County Observer and the Lake Houston Observer, and the editor of the Dayton News, Cleveland Advocate and Eastex Advocate. Over the years, she has earned more than two dozen writing awards, including Journalist of the Year.

8 COMMENTS

  1. Levi was one of my classmates. He was one of the sweetest people I ever met, and it was impossible to be sad around him. I send my condolences to everyone affected by his passing. Lord rest his soul.

  2. This Army mom’s heart hurts for you. Prayers for peace and comfort and thank you for your service Levi.

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