T. Sterling Shawn Hamner, Sr., 41, died Thursday, May 4, 2000, at the Huntsman Center, University Hospital, Salt Lake City, UT of complications from leukemia. The leukemia was environmentally induced and believed to be a result of his service in the Gulf War.
      He was born January 30, 1959, at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. His parents are Louie D. Jr., and Mary Louise Hamner.
      He is survived by a son, T. Sterling Shawn Hamner, Jr., age 11; a daughter, Mary Caroline, age 7, both of Salt Lake City, UT; a third son, Daniel Wishard, died in infancy. Other survivors include brothers, Lance D. Hamner, Franklin, IN, Austin S. Hamner, Greenwood, IN, Matthew L. Hamner, Indianapolis, IN, Mark V. Hamner, Indianapolis, IN, Jared S. Hamner, Salt Lake City, UT, Louie D.Hamner, III, Provo, UT, Spencer A. Hamner, Mt. Auburn, IN; and sisters, Tanya Dee Wrigley, American Fork, UT, Deseret L. LaZarte, West Bountiful, UT, Tamar L. Ketchum, Nineveh, IN, M. Serene Bean, Albuquerque, NM, Celeste J. Hamner, Shelbyville, IN.
      He was an Elder in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was employed at U.S. West in Omaha, NE. He was a U.S. Army veteran and served in Iran at the time of the fall of the Shah and was a veteran of Desert Storm. He was nearing completion of a BS in Accounting and he was an Eagle Scout. He served as a missionary in the North Carolina Raleigh Mission for his church. He loved the Lord, his family, his country and his fellowman. He never turned down a person who needed his help. He always defended those who were weak or disadvantaged. He was loyal to his family and friends. He loved jokes and he was quick to laugh. He also enjoyed camping and biking and was a distinguished expert marksman when he was a policeman. Most of all, Sterling loved being with his family. Sterling was a sergeant in the Army Reserve when the Gulf War started. Although his supervisor at the Salt Lake City Police Department where he worked at the time suggested that he seek a hardship deferral, Sterling didn't consider it. He said he had made a commitment to his country and would keep it. He served bravely as a combat MP near the front lines of the war. He and his men trusted each other with their lives. He didn't come home until the war was over and his nation no longer required his services. Despite the Gulf War Syndrome which we believe caused his leukemia and his infant son's heart defect, Sterling loved his country and never regretted having served. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13. We love him now and forever and he will be missed here on earth.
      The family wishes to thank the staff at Huntsman Cancer Institute and employees at the U of U Medical Center Bone Marrow 5th floor. Special thanks to Dr. Finn Peterson, Marie Riveria, Patti Barker, Lynne Carlquist, and Natalia Benkovskaya.
      Services will be 11 a.m. Monday, May 8, 2000, at the Foxhills LDS Ward, 6200 So. 3555 W., West Jordan, UT, where friends may call Sunday evening from 6-8 p.m. and also on Monday one hour prior to the services. Interment: Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery.