Curtis L. Wooten
 |
| Age: |
|
20 |
| Hometown: |
Spanaway, WA |
| Date of Death: |
1/4/2005 |
| Incident Location: |
Balad, Iraq |
| Branch of Military: |
|
Army |
| Rank: |
Pfc |
| Unit: |
1st Battalion, 77th Armor Regiment, 1st Infantry Division |
| Unit's Base: |
Schweinfurt, Germany |
|
It's perhaps telling that Curtis L. Wooten III was able to make friends even when in deep, deep trouble. Michael Parker said he met Wooten when they were both seventh-graders, sitting in the principal's office one day. They'd been sent there from separate classes, got to talking and were friends ever since. "He always made you laugh and smile whenever you'd be with him," said Sarah Failey, another friend from school. Wooten, 20, of Spanaway, Wash., died Jan. 4 when a roadside bomb blew up near his vehicle in Balad. He was stationed at Schweinfurt, Germany. Wooten, whose parents both served in the Army, was born at Fort Riley, Kan., and lived around the world before his parents divorced. After graduating high school in 2002, Wooten enlisted in the Army to get health insurance and money for college. Rap, jazz and R&B music were a big part of his life. For fun, he and his mother would pretend they were on "Soul Train" and dance around the house. Wooten had planned to become a music promoter and producer. He is survived by his parents, Curtis Wooten Sr. and Dairyene.