Shawn M. Kaylor

Shawn M. Kaylor passed away on October 19, 2022, at his home in Virginia Beach, VA, from Seizure Disorder/Traumatic Brain Disorder. He was 53 years old. Shawn was preceded in death by his parents Susan A. Kaylor of Thousand Oaks, CA and Norman C. Cartmel, Newbury Park, CA; grandparents, William D. Kaylor & Jean (Stewart) Kaylor of Doylestown; Uncles Dan Kaylor of Barberton; Uncle Bob Tester of Doylestown and Aunt Deana (Wincel) McKeand of Doylestown. 

Shawn is survived by his children, Deven and Madison Kaylor of Virginia Beach, VA. He is also survived by his sister Dawn Garcia;niece and nephew: Amara and Neilan Garcia of Newbury Park CA; brother, Norman (Ana) Cartmel of CA; stepsisters: Debbie Randy and Beth Cartmel of AZ, Teresa Sandra and Pam Cartmel of CA, Lynn Shluker of NV; Aunts: Sharon Tester of Vermilion, OH, Debra (Dale) Tester of Doylestown, OH, Penny (Mark) Pavkov of Nashville, TN and cousins from OH, TN, CA.

Shawn loved his family and country with all his heart. He proudly served in the United States Navy for 25 years. After retiring he made the decision to continue another 6 years protecting U.S. security as a private contractor “in the sandbox”. During his military career Shawn’s wife, Melanie (Moon) Kaylor, supported his military career by taking care of home and family. 

At the age of twenty-two, Shawn enlisted into the U. S. Navy Nuclear Submarines and trained at Joint Base Anacondia out of Bolling, WA and then stationed in Groton, CT. That began his military career and voyages around the world. Through the course of his enlisted career, he became a Senior Master Chief Master-At-Arms, Military Police Investigator/Interrogator, Lethal/Non-Lethal Weapons Marksmanship Instructor, Anti-Terrorism Training Supervisor and Instructor, Watch Commander, Nuclear Weapons Security and Operations Chief, Senior Chief Petty Officer, MA Master-at-Arms, Yeoman and Seaman.

He was in Desert Shield & Desert Storm (1990-1992); Iraqi Freedom Theater (5 deployments), contributed to the Montgomery GI Bill Program, caught & detained pirates that tried overtaking the USS Ashland, and part of the Nassau Amphibious Ready Group on the USS McFaul. During the last years in the military Shawn worked for DTRA (Defense Threat Reduction Agency) as a Security Operations Specialist.

Shawn was awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, 2 Navy and Marine Corp Commendation Medals, 4 Navy and Marine Corp Achievement Medals, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, 2 Navy “E” Rios, 6 Navy Good Conduct Medals, Navy Expeditionary Medal, 2 National Defense Service Medals, 8 Iraq Campaign Medals, 3 Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medals, 3 Global War on Terrorism Service Medals, 3 Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medals, 8 Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbons, NATO Medal—Kosovo, Navy Rifle Expert Medal, Navy Pistol Expert Medal, Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist Insignia.

When Shawn was home, he enjoyed being with his children. His favorite question to ask them was, “What’s it all about?”  “Family!” He liked watching sunrises, reading about history, his Harley Davidson, he collected 70,000 sports cards, loved Johnny Unitas, all types of music, Edgar Winter’s guitar playing, target shooting, collecting antiques, collecting Dante’s Inferno books from the 1800’s, and being a Dive Master.

Shawn’s Final Salute will be at Arlington National Cemetery in 2023. Because of the length of time before his inurnment, his family is holding a Final Salute on November 19, 2022 at 11:30 a.m. at Chestnut Hill Cemetery in Doylestown, Ohio. A “Celebration of Life” for Shawn will be at Crossroad’s Community Church following his memorial. Shawn’s favorite holiday was Veteran’s Day. To honor him and all veterans and soldiers, please pay tribute to them. www.tbiwarriorfoundation.org 

“Shipmate, the watch stands relieved. Relieved by those you have trained, guided and lead. You stand relieved. We have the watch.” 

(Zak-Thacker & Monbarren, 330-658-2211)

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