Kathie Colgrove
NCR Reporter
The western Nassau community mourns the loss of Baylee Sisson, 21, a U.S. Army serviceman and a 2013 West Nassau High School graduate.
Sisson became ill in late January from a virus that caused his kidneys and liver to fail, according to grandmother Jeannette Sisson.
“He got sick over the weekend, last weekend,” she told the Record Monday. “His mom told him he needed to go to a doctor. He had a headache and he went to the clinic.”
Sisson said that he was treated at a clinic where he was stationed, but he was later transported to a hospital off the base. For a short time he was well enough to communicate with family members via social media.
“But he got worse,” she added. “His kidneys and liver weren’t right and he passed away.”
He died Feb. 2.
Sisson was stationed in Uijeongbu, South Korea. He lived outside of the military base, according to Jeannette Sisson.
He leaves behind wife Brooke and many extended family members.
The couple married Dec. 26, 2015, according to Sisson’s Facebook page.
WNHS Athletics posted a Facebook tribute to Sisson, writing, “We are deeply saddened to report the passing of former WNHS baseball player Baylee Sisson. He was serving in the U.S. Army in Korea.”
Warrior Baseball Coach Kyle Fleming fondly recalled Sisson’s team loyalty, positive attitude and bond with teammates. Sisson was also a member of the 2013 all-county baseball team.
“Baylee was an absolutely wonderful human being,” Fleming wrote via email Monday. “He was always upbeat. He never complained or got upset. He always worked as hard as anyone we had. He hit a go-ahead homerun for us in the 2013 district championship that ended up being the deciding factor in the game. When he came around third, he had the biggest grin you ever saw. I will never forget it.”
Fleming continued, “His teammates adored him and almost all of them have contacted me expressing their sadness. This was a crushing loss for everyone who knew him or might have had the chance to know him. Baylee will always be a Warrior.”
Sisson said a funeral service was held overseas for those he knew in the military. His remains will be transported back to western Nassau. A memorial service will be held at a later date.