Samuel Kerslake

KERSLAKE, SAMUEL "G" AW1 Samuel "G" Kerslake, U.S. Navy, age 41, died on May 19, 2009, along with four other personnel from HS-6. Born July 25th, in U.S.A.F. hospital in Lakenheath, England. Grant grew up in Hot Springs, Arkansas. A graduate of Lake Hamilton High school in 1986. Grant then enlisted in the Navy on May 16, 1989, and reported to his first operational command, HS-8, in July of 1990. Over the years, he completed extensive training and served as an instructor at HS-10, Leading Petty Officer at HS-6, and test and evaluation crewman at VX-1, before he returned to HS-6 for a second tour on March 21, 2005. Grant was the epitome of the skilled helicopter crewman, earning every qualification known to the helo community. Grant was the HS-6 Sailor of Year for 2007 and was the CHSCWP Naval Aircrewman of the Year for 2008. Over 19 years of flying he amassed more than 5000 hours, rescued a pilot from cold Pacific waters, and gained a reputation as an Enlisted leader, second to none. He was a strict teacher, but every Sailor who had the opportunity to serve with him was enriched by his skill and supervision. Grant was a loving husband and devoted father, teacher and mentor to his two boys. Samuel Grant Kerslake (41) is survived by his wife Christie Kerslake and sons Justin and Samuel Ryan, his father Samuel Kerslake and wife Sue, his mother Jo Anne Kerslake and Dale Hobgood, his brother William "Will" Kerslake, wife Jennifer and thier son Liam, his Maternal Grandmother Irene Winans and numerious aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.