Sgt. Scott Douglas Dykman, 27

Sgt. Scott Douglas Dykman of Harrison "was taken from us" Dec. 20, 2006, while doing his duty. The Army had become home for Scott; he had found his niche and had planned to make the Army his career. Shortly before his death he had attained the rank of sergeant. He was so proud of that accomplishment.

Scott was born Aug. 3, 1979, in Bozeman to Donna Rutledge Dykman and Douglas Dykman. Scott was raised in Harrison, attended school in Harrison and graduated from Harrison High School. No matter where he traveled, Harrison was always home to him.

In his short life he worked as a logger, which was an occupation that he truly loved, and before entering the Army he was employed as a heavy-equipment operator. He had placed third in the nation in golden gloves boxing. He loved rodeo. He was a member of the Harrison Fire Department.

Scott was a proud and honorable young man, shy and quiet. When he spoke, that soft, rumbling baritone was such a surprise that it never failed to put a smile on the listener's face. More than one crying child settled and curled against his chest to be soothed by his calm tone and gentle touch.

While in the Army, Scott found himself. He had purpose, a place to shine; he gave 110 percent at everything he did. After boot camp, Scott went on to Airborne School and graduated in February of 2004 as a paratrooper. He served with the 82nd Airborne Division out of Fort Bragg, N.C.

He had done two tours in Iraq with this unit before transferring to the 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division out of Fort Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. Scott was on his third deployment to Iraq when he was killed as a result of an IED explosion.

Scott met Chantelle Russell in 2000 and the two were married in September 2003. They had two children together, William Scott, 5, and Rachell Annette, 3. William and Rachell were the pride of his life.

Scott is survived by his wife, Chantelle, and children, William and Rachell; his father, Douglas, and stepmother, Sue Dykman, and Donna and stepfather, Ron Koontz; grandparents, John and Betty Dykman, and Dick and Janet Autry; also his maternal great-grandmother, Lucy Townsend; his brothers, Cpl. Michael and Ashley Dykman, Spc. Michael and Patty Johnson, Tim and Casey Johnson, Ron Koontz Jr., and Ted and Kim Koontz; and sister, Leanne Koontz. He is also survived by his in-laws, Robert and Rochelle Russell; brothers-in-law, Chad Russell and Cassidy Russell; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and friends.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29, at the Harrison High School Gym, with interment afterward in the Harrison Cemetery.

"Scott, your memory will live forever in the smile of your son, the eyes of your daughter and the love in our hearts."

K and L Mortuaries of Harrison in charge of arrangements.