Timothy Adam Fulkerson laid to rest

HARTFORD, Ky. (AP) -- Family, friends and military comrades gathered Sunday afternoon to remember a western Kentucky soldier who died a week ago in Iraq.

Army Spc. Adam Fulkerson, 20, was killed Oct. 8 in Tikrit, Iraq, when a landmine exploded near his vehicle during combat operations with the 82nd Airborne Division. He had been serving with the Fort Bragg, N.C., unit since June.

Tammy Voyles Brown asked her son’s stepfather, Ben Brown, to share a few of her recollections during the service because she didn’t think she could get through it, he said.

“He was a mama’s boy,” Ben Brown said. “When he was nervous he would twirl his hair and chew his bottom lip ... His mother said he was a gift to her and his father (Tim Fulkerson), but she shared him with the world.”

Tammy Brown said she felt no anger, just pain.

And she said she was thankful for the time she had with her son.

She thanked Adam’s uncle, Greg Skaggs, for letting him stay with him so he could attend Daviess County High School, graduating in 2004.

Emily Cremer called her nephew a free spirit who liked to tell jokes.

“Adam, tell God as many jokes as you like,” she said.

Fulkerson received full military/graveside honors, including a “silent guard” throughout the visitation. All seats in the chapel at Miller-Schapmire Funeral Home in Hartford were filled, and people lined the walls during the service conducted by Chaplain (Cpt.) Matthew Cassady of the 82nd Airborne.

Outside, about 40 members of the Patriot Guard Riders left their motorcycles and gathered close to the funeral home, some holding flags.

“We were formed about a year ago to protect family and friends from protesters and to show honor and respect to fallen comrades,” Rod Butler, Kentucky ride captain, told the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer.

Numerous soldiers from Fulkerson’s base attended the funeral, including Col. Kelly Thomas, commander of the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade.

Fulkerson earned the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Action Badge, Good Conduct Medal and Army Aviation Crewmember’s Badge.

The graveside service at Sunnyside Cemetery in Beaver Dam included the traditional 21-gun salute. A second service for Fulkerson was held in front of the War Memorial at the Sportscenter.

From WHAS 11

Last respects paid

Family, friends and military comrades gathered Sunday afternoon to remember a western Kentucky soldier who died a week ago in Iraq.

Army Spc. Adam Fulkerson, 20, was killed Oct. 8 in Tikrit, Iraq, when a landmine exploded near his vehicle during combat operations with the 82nd Airborne Division. He had been serving with the Fort Bragg, N.C., unit since June.

Tammy Voyles Brown asked her son's stepfather, Ben Brown, to share a few of her recollections during the service because she didn't think she could get through it, he said.

"He was a mama's boy," Ben Brown said. "When he was nervous he would twirl his hair and chew his bottom lip ... His mother said he was a gift to her and his father (Tim Fulkerson), but she shared him with the world."

Tammy Brown said she felt no anger, just pain.

And she said she was thankful for the time she had with her son. She thanked Adam's uncle, Greg Skaggs, for letting him stay with him so he could attend Daviess County High School, graduating in 2004.

Emily Cremer called her nephew a free spirit who liked to tell jokes.

"Adam, tell God as many jokes as you like," she said.

Fulkerson received full military/graveside honors, including a "silent guard" throughout the visitation. All seats in the chapel at Miller-Schapmire Funeral Home in Hartford were filled, and people lined the walls during the service conducted by Chaplain (Cpt.) Matthew Cassady of the 82nd Airborne.

Outside, about 40 members of the Patriot Guard Riders left their motorcycles and gathered close to the funeral home, some holding flags.

"We were formed about a year ago to protect family and friends from protesters and to show honor and respect to fallen comrades," Rod Butler, Kentucky ride captain, told the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer.

Numerous soldiers from Fulkerson's base attended the funeral, including Col. Kelly Thomas, commander of the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade.

Fulkerson earned the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Action Badge, Good Conduct Medal and Army Aviation Crewmember's Badge.

The graveside service at Sunnyside Cemetery in Beaver Dam included the traditional 21-gun salute. A second service for Fulkerson was held in front of the War Memorial at the Sportscenter.

From the Times Daily

Related Link:
Timothy Fulkerson killed by landmine