Kevin Andrew Etter, 58, of Belton, was born November 3, 1960, in Jackson, Mississippi, to the late Robert Andrew and Bess Vaughn Etter, where he was raised, attended and graduated high school. He graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. After college, Kevin joined the United States Army and was a Chief Warrant Officer 5 and Army Aviator, and served tours overseas, including Iraq, Bosnia, Saudi Arabia as well as other areas. Kevin faithfully and honorably served his country for 23 years, retiring in 2011. Kevin had trained in Karate and received a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Seibukan Karate. For the last 3 years, Kevin has been a pilot for Southwest Airlines, based out of Dallas.
While in the Army, Kevin met the future love of his life on Christmas Day of 1993, Cheri Bessonette, and they were married on December 31, 1994, in Mississippi. Kevin was a man of great moral character with very high ethical standards, highly respected and morally sound and committed. He has been described by many as a great man, great soldier, great aviator, great American and a great Patriot! He was an amazing husband, loving father and brother and a beloved family man. His life revolved around family, God and guns.
Countless friends and colleagues have remembered Kevin as someone who was a consummate leader and mentor, who taught others to make decisions based in truth and fact and based on what is right, rather than based on what might be convenient or easy. He held others, and most importantly himself, to the highest of standards of accountability to decisions and actions. Kevin impacted the lives of others by the example of the way he lived his life in immeasurable ways.
Left to cherish his memories are his wife of 24 years, Cheri Etter; sons, Brandon and Parker Etter; daughters, Gracie and Ella Etter, all of Belton; brother, Shane Etter of Atlanta, Georgia; sister, Amy Etter Mills and her husband John of San Marcos; his mother in law, Lindy Sudduth of Belton, and a host of extended family and friends.
Funeral Mass for Kevin will be held at 11:00 AM Tuesday, March 12, 2019, at St. Paul Chong Hasang Catholic Church in Harker Heights. Following the service, burial with full military honors will be at 1:00 PM at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery.
A time of visitation will be 5:00 to 8:00 PM on Monday, March 11, 2019 at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Killeen.
Should friends desire, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the NRA @ https://www.nrafoundation.org/donate/, St Paul Chong Hasang Catholic Church or a charity of choice.
