Bobby L. Twitty dies 'from a non-hostile vehicle accident'

When Bobby Twitty graduated with the class of 2005 at Madisonville High School in Madisonville, Texas, he immediately signed up for the Marines, his family said Tuesday.

"He told his dad he wanted a challenge," his aunt, Carolyn Johnson, said by phone from Bedias, Texas.

Lance Cpl. Bobby Twitty died July 22 during a non-hostile vehicle accident in Iraq's Anbar province, Department of Defense officials said Tuesday. He was assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion 6, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Lejeune. His death is under investigation, Camp Lejeune officials said Tuesday evening.

Johnson said his immediate family was still reeling from the loss. "They feel lost," she said. "They want to know why and pretty much nothing anybody says or does is going to make them feel better."

She said Twitty, the second of six children, was an adventurous young man with a contagious smile who found joy in hunting and spending time with his family.

"Bobby was a tough kid, but he had a heart of gold," she said.

Twitty joined in December 2005. After being trained as a heavy equipment operator, he joined his unit in June 2006. He's the second of his siblings to join the armed forces. His older brother, James, is stationed with the Army in Germany.

Bobby Twitty was promoted to lance corporal in February.

Besides older brother James, Bobby Twitty is survived by his parents, James and Tammy Twitty, and siblings Patrick Twitty, David Twitty, Patricia Twitty and Lauren Twitty, all of Bedias, Texas.

From the News Observer