Clifton Family Mourns Loss of Son in Iraq

By Irene Lagan
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 5/1/03)

Friends and family gathered last week to mourn the loss of Jeffrey J. Kaylor, 24, a member of St. Andrew the Apostle Parish in Clifton and a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.

"Jeffrey knew God, and knowing Him, he certainly understood love," said Father Jerome Fasano, pastor of St. Andrew the Apostle and main celebrant of the Mass of Christian burial. "Jesus Christ tells us ‘there is no greater love than for one to lay down his life for his friends.’ Jeffrey imitated his Lord in making the supreme sacrifice of giving his own life for the freedom of others. In this, he mirrors to us the very love of that is God."

Known affectionately as "Fedge" to friends, Kaylor was a warm and affectionate young man who was well loved by many. In his last e-mail to friends, Kaylor wrote, "I have no idea what the future will hold. Thank you for all you’ve done for me… The good part is that we are still together. Our friendship can never be broken. The next time you see me I will be home making visits to see how everyone is doing. Love and friends forever, Jeff."

Kaylor was killed on April 7, during a reconnaissance mission about 20 miles outside of Baghdad. Military officials told Roxanne and Michael Kaylor their only son died when his Humvee was caught in a grenade attack. Kaylor was one of select few chosen to be lieutenant in the3rd Infantry Division, Charlie Battery Company, a field artillery unit out of Fort Stuart, Ga., and was rapidly becoming recognized by his superiors as a strong and capable leader.

A 2001 graduate of Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, Kaylor was married last July to Army Second Lieutenant Jenna Cosbey, who is assigned to a military police unit in Kuwait. After receiving news of her husband’s death, Jenna flew home from the Middle East to be with family.

Kaylor and Cosbey were classmates at Virginia Tech’s Corps of Cadets, a military training program for college students. After learning that Kaylor was going to be deployed in the Middle East in August 2002, the couple moved their wedding date from September to July and postponed their honeymoon until they both returned from the Middle East.

With the exception of a weekend together following their wedding and three brief meetings at a military base in Kuwait, Jeffrey and Jenna were kept apart by their different assignments.

"He was a great man, an outstanding soldier, a wonderful friend and husband to our daughter," said Nanette Cosbey, Kaylor’s mother-in-law.

"Jeff is the light on my path, the strength in my heart and the love of my life. It is hard to think what I will do without him beside me," Jenna said. "Forever his soul is with me.

We took advantage of every second we had together. Our happiness was complete. Though our time together was short, it was the best time of our lives. My memories of us together will last a million lifetimes."

Kaylor was a 1997 graduate of Centreville High School where he played middle linebacker for the Wildcats Football Team. Intelligent and dedicated to serving others, Kaylor enjoyed and planned to stay in the military.

"We are proud of what he did and we will miss him," said Michael Kaylor, who also served in the Army. In addition to his parents and wife, Jenna, Kaylor left behind two sisters, Cindy, 17, a junior at the Centreville High School, and Patricia, 25, an employee of the Marriott Corporation.

The family buried Jeffrey Kaylor in Arlington National Cemetery last Wednesday.

The family plans to set up a scholarship at Centreville High School in Jeffrey Kaylor's name, his father said. Contributions can be mailed to 6001 Union Mill Rd., Clifton, Va. 20124. 

Copyright ©2003 Arlington Catholic Herald.  All rights reserved.