Jeffrey A. Saum

1987 - 2020

COLORADO -- Sergeant First Class Jeffrey A. Saum, 33, was lost and went to be with his Lord on Dec. 7, 2020, in Fort Carson, Colorado Springs, CO. 

He was born June 22, 1987, at Gorgus Army Hospital, Republic of Panama, the son of Mike Saum and Jackie Vining. He grew up in Big Rapids, and graduated from Big Rapids High School, Class of 2006.

 Jeffrey enlisted in the United States Army in January of 2008, at the age of 20, as a 25U, Signal Support Systems Specialist. Completing Infantry School at Fort Benning, GA and Advanced Individual Training at Ft. Gordon, GA, he was assigned to the 546th Military Police Company located at Ft. Stewart, GA, where he served as a Communications Specialist.

Jeff deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn from 2009-2010. In 2011, he volunteered to attend the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course and was subsequently selected. He completed the Special Forces Qualification Course in August of 2013 as an 18C Special Forces Engineer Sergeant. He was then assigned to Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) located at Panzer Kaserne, Stuttgart, Germany.

He deployed to Afghanistan as a Senior Engineer Sergeant with ODA 0116 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2014. He was then deployed to Afghanistan a second time in support of the Special Operations Task Force Afghanistan with 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) in 2015.

Jeff returned to ODA 0113 and deployed to Latvia in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve as the Senior Engineer Sergeant. He was then assigned to Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) located at Fort Carson, CO.

He deployed with the CENTCOM Commanders Counter Terrorism Crisis Response Force to Iraq in 2018 as a Senior Engineer Sergeant with ODA 0232 and again with ODA 0231 as Master Breacher to the United Arab Emirates in 2020. He was then assigned to Bravo Company, 3rd battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in October 2020.

Jeff's military education and advanced skills include: Basic Airborne Course; USASOC Static-Line Jumpmaster Course; Special Forces Qualification Course; Military Free Fall Basic Course; Advanced Special Operations Level II; Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat; Survival Evasion Resistance Escape Course; Special Forces Advanced Reconnaissance Target Analysis Exploitation Course; Special Forces Combative Program Level I; Special Forces Master Breacher; Basic Leaders Course; Advanced Leaders Course; and Senior Leaders Course.

His awards and decorations include: Army Commendation Medal(4); Army Achievement Medal; Meritorious Unit Citation; Army Good Conduct Medal(4); National Defense Service Medal; Afghan Campaign Medal with two campaign stars; Iraqi Campaign Medal with one campaign star; Inherent Resolve with campaign star; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Non Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon(3); Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Ribbon(2); NATO Medal(2); Certificate of achievement; Special Forces Tab; Army Parachutist Badge; Army Senior Parachutist Badge; Military Freefall Parachutist Badge; and Combat Infantry Badge.

Jeff loved spending time with his wife and children. He enjoyed traveling in Europe and visiting numerous ancient castles throughout the countryside. He was an avid hunter, having success at harvesting black bear and wild boar, along with other wild game. On Sunday's, Jeff looked forward to watching the Green Bay Packers.

Jeffrey is survived by his loving wife of 12 years, Emilee (Bull) Saum; daughter, Josephine; son, Everest; father, Mike Saum, of Big Rapids; mother, Jacki (Chad) SanCartier, of Waters; brothers, Nick Saum, of Midland, SSG Eric (Meghan) Saum, of Colorado Springs, CO, Quinn SanCartier, of Waters; SFC Daniel (Amanda) Cook, of Hope Mills, NC, Kerrina (Kyle) Rouech, of Big Rapids, and Maryrose (Jonathon) Robison, of Pierson; maternal grandmother, Barbara Vining; and many extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Donald and Josephine Saum; maternal grandfather, Frank Vining; step-mother, Julie (Gahrs) Saum; and nephew, Jaxon Saum.

Mass of Resurrection will be held at St. Mary Catholic Church in big Rapids at a later date. Jeff will be laid to rest at Mount Carmel Cemetery in Big Rapids.

Memorial contributions may be made in Jeff's name to Emilee Saum and mailed to the funeral home at 13985 Northland Dr., Big Rapids, MI 49307, for an account to be set up at a later date in the children's names. 

Arrangements entrusted to Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home of Big Rapids. Please sign the guestbook on our website, daggettgilbertfuneralhome.com, where you can also leave stories and share pictures.