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Ashley Hayes Reporting Today family and friends remembered James Linder, five days after he was killed while training with the Utah National Guard.
Linder was laid to rest today.
He's one of two National Guard pilots killed Monday in a helicopter crash near Fairfield.
James Linder, 33, was an Arizona native who loved to fly. He grew up in Sandy, where he graduated from Brighton High and later attended the University of Utah.
Before joining the Guard, Linder used his engineering degree to design prosthetic limbs.
He and fellow pilot Clayton Barnes, who was also killed in this week's training exercise, received numerous awards for their performance. They also served together in Afghanistan.
Being back home in Utah, Linder's family didn't anticipate losing him to an accident. Ray Linder, James' father, said, "Everybody that knew him liked him and were affected by him. That's about all I can say about it right now."
Jason Linder, James' brother, said, "He was an absolute hero and inspiration. He took great risks to follow his passions and dreams to serve his country and to be a pilot."
Linder is survived by his wife and three young sons.
The crash is still being investigated. Pilot Clayton Barnes' funeral will take place tomorrow.
Donations are being accepted for the families at Zion's Bank branches.
