Base mourns loss of officer, friend Published Feb. 6, 2009 By Maj. Shane Balken Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Squadron members, friends, and family filled the base chapel here for standing room only Feb. 4 as people came together to mourn and remember the life of Capt. Jonathan Bayless. Captain Bayless, who passed away Jan. 30, was a missileer and chief of training scenarios for the 91st Operations Support Squadron here. "He was very skilled at his job and tremendously talented as a leader both in and away from work," said Lt. Col. Todd Schollars, 91st Operational Support Squadron commander. "He made a real impact on people's lives and we will miss his abilities and humor." The impact Captain Bayless had on people's lives was evident from the outpouring of support and attendance at his funeral. Captain Bayless was previously assigned to Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., and made friends with several people who later were stationed with him here. Capt. Charles Hammond, 91st OSS ,combat crew commander, was one of those friends who knew him in California. Captain Hammond spoke about Captain Bayless' love of clocks, watches, swatches, bad horror movies, cats, and his green volkswagon; his passion for guitars, music, and singing; but above all, his great friendship with so many people. "He wanted to make a difference in the squadron and always help anyone who needed it," said Captain Hammond. Colonel Schollars emphasized Captain Bayless' singing talents, stating he was selected to sing the National Anthem at the recent military appreciation night at the local Minot Skyrockets minor league basketball game. "He was a very talented singer," Colonel Schollars said. "But perhaps the greatest praise for Captain Bayless was how he taught people to take care of each other. He gave a lot of friendship to the squadron and they are really supporting each other and celebrating his life."