Nicholas Baranovic

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Nicholas Alexander Baranovic left this world Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022, in Alexandria. He was 38 years old.

Nick grew up in Missouri. He graduated from Jackson High School and Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington, Missouri.

Nick joined the U.S. Army in 2002 as an intelligence specialist. He held many positions, serving the intelligence community and supporting soldiers both in their careers and their personal lives. He was most proud of his time as a first sergeant and with the counter-drug program. He was deployed three times and completed numerous military programs, the most recent being the extremely selective U.S. Army Sergeants Major Course. Some of his awards include the Knowlton Award, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Global War on Terrorism Medal and Combat Action Badge.

Nick's hobbies included woodworking — furniture building and carving — board games, cooking and fixing things. He was a carpenter and a mechanic, and loved fixing up his house and working on his vehicles. He played piano, participated in triathlons, created massive gardens and hosted barbecues and dinners. Nick could always be counted on to light up a room with his contagious laugh and sense of humor (the garlic meatloaf will live on in infamy). He was kind, humble, humorous, protective, honest, caring, generous and more than can ever be put into words.

Nick is survived by his parents, Patricia and Mark Baranovic of Cape Girardeau; brothers, Kris Baranovic of Cape Girardeau and Andy Baranovic of Red Lodge, Montana; his former wife, Melissa, and their child, Natalia, of Tennessee; his former wife and best friend, Tiffanie of Virginia; and countless extended family members, friends and colleagues.

Service will be at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 6, at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, 2900 Sheridan Road in St. Louis. Gather at 10:30 a.m. that morning at Hoffmeister South County Chapel, 1515 Lemay Ferry Road in St. Louis for the procession to Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to Headstrong Project, www.theheadstrongproject.org.

Condolences may be offered at www.hoffmeistersouthcounty.com.