Obituary of MSG. Stensland

LEXINGTON: Memorial service for MSG. Gary Stensland, (Ret.), 55, will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 30, 2012, at The Harvest, officiated by Pastor Scott Robertson and Pastor Ron Taylor. The family will receive friends from 1 until 2 p.m. prior to the service at the church. Memorials may be made to the Central Midlands Transitional Retreat for Homeless Vets, 201 Duffie Drive, Lexington, SC 29072. Thompson Funeral Home of Lexington is assisting the family. Mr. Stensland passed away Tuesday, June 26, 2012. Born in Gainesville, FL, he was a son of the late John L. Stensland and Jeannine Stensland. He served in the U.S. Army, Special Forces, retiring after 26 years. He volunteered at the VA Homeless Shelter and was an Eagle Scout. Mr. Stensland was the "Bat Boy" for the Atlanta Braves for 5 years; as a "Bat Boy" he gave Hank Aaron the bat for the 715th Home Run! Mr. Stensland was also a devoted husband father and grandfather. He will be greatly missed. Surviving is his darling lovely bride, MSG. Freida Israel (Ret) of Lexington; daughter, Samantha Stensland of Cobb County,GA; son, Ryan Stensland of Cobb County, GA; sister, Joannie Ladzinke (Doug) of Forest Park, GA; brothers, Alan Stensland (Susan) of Cobb County, GA and Jack Stensland of Rex GA; two grandchildren, Brooke Howdyshell and Nicholas Howdyshell.