Michael Luke Boatright was a Texan who loved riding bulls, listening to
country music and hunting deer. "He was a little ol' homebred cowboy,"
said his mother-in-law, Yetta Skidmore. The 24-year-old from Frisco,
Texas, was killed Dec. 4 in Baghdad when an improvised explosive
device struck him. Boatright, who went by Luke, was known for his
bright smile and considerate attitude. He was in the Future Farmers of
America in high school before joining the Army in 1997. He had just
re-enlisted for another four years and decided to make the Army his
career. "He loved being a soldier," said his mother, Candace Sons. "He
took his Army values very seriously, loyalty, duty, respect, selfless
service, honor, integrity and personal courage." He leaves behind his
wife, Desty, and three children, ages 7, 5 and 4 who live near Fort Hood. |