Obituary of Homer Marion Batton

Homer M Batton 76, of Melbourne, Fl.

Beloved Husband, Father, and Grandfather passed away Monday, January 16, 2023, at UCF Lake Nona Medical Center surrounded by family with love and care. He was born in South Charleston, W.V. on October 19, 1946, to John Russell and Dorothy Mae Batton and raised by his mother and stepfather, Kenneth P. Miller. Following graduation from high school, he enlisted in the US Navy for two years, and then continued in the US Naval Reserve for 11 years before transferring to the US Army Reserve where he served another 8 years as a Sergeant. While serving in the reserves he pursued his ultimate career choice of being in the Fire Service. He started with the City of Melbourne Fire Department in January 1970, and four years later he became Driver/Engineer. In November of 1988, he was promoted to Lieutenant where he served the community until he retired in December of 1998. As a token of appreciation for his 29 years of dedicated service, he was presented with the Key to the City. He was one of the kindest people on this planet, anyone that knew him would agree. He was a gentle, giving man who always gave of himself to any capacity he could to help others. He made friends wherever he went in life and faced every challenge with strength and courage. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling, boating, scuba diving, camping in his RV, and going to the drag races cheering on the US Army Top Fuel car. He loved watching football and was a huge Bobby Bowden and Florida State Seminole fan. He also enjoyed going to breakfast and lunch with his friends on a weekly basis and attending car shows, but the thing he enjoyed the most was spending time with his family and the love of his life, his wife of 55 1/2 years. He is survived by his spouse, Carolyn Sue, Son, Ken (Aundrea), Grandson Kenneth, Granddaughter Ashley Renee, Siblings, Sisters Pamela Farell of Virginia, Ranea Cain of Ohio, Brothers Kenneth, Gregory, and Thomas Miller of Ohio. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Cancer Society or the Alzheimer's Association. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, February 11th at 3:00pm at the City of Melbourne Fire Department, Station 71. A private service will be held at his final resting place in Cape Canaveral National Cemetery on Monday, February 13th at 9:00am.

A Firefighter's Farewell

If you cry a tear for me

Remember that though it seems

 Death has conquered…my valor did too

 For I’ve lived the life of my dreams

Being a firefighter was my calling

A hope and a dream fulfilled

As I was blessed to save many others

Courage combined with skill

And I know when I meet my maker

My God will be satisfied

That I’ve cared for others more than myself

Through a lifetime of sacrifice

For I’ve battled the tortured infernos

Seeking the wounded, trapped, and afraid

I still feel deep sorrow for those

I’ve lost Greatest joy for the lives that

 I’ve saved And though it breaks my heart to leave you

 I want my life to always be

A reminder of how much I’ve loved you

My friends and family

For in the eyes of every person that I helped

There I saw the reflections of you

You were the source of my bravery

And my fellow firefighters too

So having lived the life of my dreams

My body…in peace…now can rest

And my spirit’ll rejoice in heaven, while

I still Watch over all whom I’ve loved and I’ve blessed