U.S. Army SSG Stayce Lamar Whipple, Sr., 47, native of Crescent City, stationed at Fort Campbell, KY., entered the sunset of life on Saturday, August 16, 2014 in Clarksville, TN., as a result of injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. He was the son of Arthur Lee and Jerelene (Walker) Whipple, Sr., born on Saturday, July 8, 1967. He was a 1986 graduate of Crescent City High School where he was a football standout (Linebacker) on the Raiders' team. Among his numerous athletic awards and recognitions, in 1985 Stayce was named "Putnam County Player of the Year" and earned a football scholarship at Cheney University in Cheney, PA. During his early childhood years, Stayce joined Jethro First Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend James C. Golden, Jr. He subsequently enlisted into the United States Army serving at Ft. Riley Kansas, Ft. Wainwright Alaska, and since 2012 at Ft. Campbell Kentucky - Alpha Company 626, Brigade Support Battalion, Home of the 101st Airborne Division, nicknamed, "The Rakkasans." Stayce was deployed four times through Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom. Stayce earned numerous medallions and citations, including but not limited to: Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation & Achievement Metals, Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medals, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbons, NATO Medal, and Kuwait Liberation Medal. Stayce was fun-loving and enjoyed the pleasure of spending time with family, riding motorcycles, and fishing. He was passionate about football and was an avid Florida State Seminoles fan. The sweetheart and love of his life was his mother, Jerelene. Stayce was preceded in eternal rest by his father, Arthur L. Whipple, Sr.; maternal grandparents, Albert and Roberta Walker; uncle, Alton Walker, Sr.; aunt, Gloria W. Johnson. His kindred legacy will be forever cherished by: his son, Stayce L. Whipple, Jr. Ft. Campbell, KY; Devoted mother, Jerelene Walker Whipple; brothers, Alonzo (Shelia) Walker; Arthur Whipple; Alphonso Whipple, Raymond Whipple all of Crescent City; Wayne (Natona) Whipple, Palatka; Christopher (Tanganyika) Daniels, Jacksonville; sisters, Mae A. Whipple, Crescent City; Vivian W. Thomas, Palm Coast; Dona Daniels and Tonya (Jerome) Andrews, both of Jacksonville; aunts, Minnie Shelton, Fitzgerald GA; Maxine Mills, Rochester NY; like sons, Craig Washington, Larry Bennett Jr., Lorenzo Bennett, and Leviticus Brandon Bennett; special extended relatives, the Shelton Family; a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and other caring relatives. Visitation of family and friends will be from 5-7 p.m., Friday, August 29, 2014 at Jethro First Baptist Church, 101 Cedar Street, Crescent City, FL., Rev. Adrian Washington, Pastor. The Celebration of Life Service will be held 11 a.m., Saturday, August 30, 2014 at True Foundation Ministries, 608 Randolph Street, Crescent City, FL. Reverend Gwendolyn George, Pastor. Pastor Mose Hawkins, of No Limit Praise Tabernacle, Deland, is the Eulogist. Interment with full military honors will be in Eden Cemetery, Crescent City.