Staff Sergeant Ira Kaur, USAF, age 26, of Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., died Nov. 28, 2010.

Born on Feb. 2, 1984, in Black Canyon City, Ariz., he grew up in Dewey, Ariz., and graduated from Bradshaw Mountain High School in Prescott on June 1, 2002.

SSgt Kaur signed up for the Delayed Entry/Enlistment Program on Sept. 18, 2001. His enlistment began only four days out of high school on June 5, 2002. Upon completion of basic training, his next hurdle was technical training at Keesler AFB, Miss. Completion of training earned him the title of military pay technician, which he would apply at his first assignment with the 319th Comptroller Squadron at Grand Forks AFB, N.D. With a firewall five attitude, he quickly moved to the top as he pushed every metric he could influence above goal and was recognized as #1 of 5 airmen. For his commitment to excellence, Ira was recognized as the AMC Financial Management Airman of the Quarter in March 2005 and March 2006. In February 2007, SSgt Kaur began work at the Air Force Financial Services Center. With the same commitment to excellence, he improved processes, resulting in pay records being updated 70 percent faster, increased Permanent Change of Station processing accuracy and timeliness by 56 percent and earned Military Pay Airman of the Quarter for March 2008. Due to his expertise, SSgt Kaur was utilized as a liaison with IBM to develop financial software. Recognized for his ability to adapt and improve processes, SSgt Kaur was hand-selected and entrusted to work in the Commander's Support Staff, where he quickly learned and applied the duties of a personnelist, serving all 346 AFFSC military members.

Ira excelled both on-and off-duty. He volunteered his time for a variety of efforts including the Air Force Honor Guard, Security Forces augmentee, Airmen against Drunk Driving, and time at the Fargo VA Medical Center and Northland Rescue Mission. Always looking toward the future, he completed his bachelor's degree cum laude in 2009 and was then accepted into the Oklahoma State University MBA Graduate Class of 2013 program while he was currently tackling while actively pursuing a commission in the U.S. Air Force.

His military awards include the Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with three oak leaf clusters, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service, Professional Military Education Ribbon and Air Force Training Ribbon.

Good-natured, highly driven individuals such as SSgt Kaur are few and far between. He was without a doubt a very positive individual who gave all he could for his family and his country.

SSgt Ira Kaur is survived by his father, Gerard Kaur of Dewey, Ariz.; his mother, Theresa Nelson of Eager, Ariz.; his brothers, A1 Ben Kaur of Davis Monthan AFB, Ariz., A1C Noe Kaur of Keesler AFB, Miss., and Ari Kaur; and his sister Ade Kaur.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to SSgt Kaur's Memorial service with full military honors at the Unity Church of Prescott, 145 S. Arizona Ave., Prescott. Interment will be private.

Please visit www.heritagefuneralchapels.com for SSgt Kaur's online guestbook.

Family service by the Heritage Memory Mortuary, Prescott.