Staff Sgt. David Allen Wyatt
One of the Marines killed in Thursday's tragic shootings, Staff Sgt. David Allen Wyatt, 35, will be buried in Chattanooga National Cemetery.
His obituary says, "Mr. Wyatt, of Hixson, selflessly gave his life on Thursday, in Chattanooga, while protecting his Chattanooga community, his country and his fellow Marines. David will always be remembered for the heroic way in which he lived, served, and died."
He was born Nov.
7, 1979, in Morganton, N.C. He grew up in Ozark and Russellville, Ark. One of his proud accomplishments was achieving the rank of Eagle Scout through the Boy Scouts of America.
He graduated from Russellville High School in 1998 and attended Piedmont Community College in Morganton, N.C., Arkansas Tech, and MSU in Missoula, Mt.
Following the events of 9/11, being the longtime patriot he was, David joined the United States Marine Corps. He graduated boot camp from Parris Island, S.C., which began an 11-year career that led him to serve in multiple locations including Okinawa, Japan, 29 Palms, Ca., Camp Lejeune, N.C., Kuwait, and Korea. He courageously fought in Operation Freedom in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
Mr. Wyatt was a loving and devoted husband, father, son, brother, and friend and will be remembered for his dry humor.
He had participated in the Toys for Tots campaign and was recently assigned as the coordinator for the up-coming drive for 2015.
His grandparents, Ned and Fern Wyatt, Robert Edward Fox, Patricia Ann Fox, and Connie Jean Fox preceded him in death.
He is survived by his loving wife of 10½ years, Lorri Wyatt; his daughter, Rebecca Wyatt and his son, Heith Wyatt, all of Hixson; father and stepmother, Allen and Michelle Wyatt of St. Augustine, Fl.; mother and stepfather, Deborah and Martin Boen of Atkins, Ar.; sisters, Dawne (Bryan) Trent of Conway, Ar.; Elizabeth (Maj. Scot) Kleinman of San Diego, Ca.; Chauntisy (James) Ayers; Chesleigh (Joseph) Palmer of; brothers, Thomas M. Fleenor of Charleston, S.C.; Jeremiah A. Wyatt of St. Augustine, Fl.; and several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Because of his love for the Chattanooga community and their outpouring of support during this time, his family has chosen to lay him to rest in Chattanooga National Cemetery with full military honors.
Members of the U. S. Marine Corps that served with David will be active and honorary pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Boy Scouts of America at www.scouting.org; Toys for Tots, atwww.chattanoga-tn.toysfortots.org; or the Forgotten Child Fund atwww.forgottenchildfund.org.
Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, Tn. 37343.