Christopher Scott Kyle

Odessa, Texas

February 2, 2013

Age	Military	Rank	Unit/Location
38	Navy	Chief	Navy SEAL

Served 4 tours in Iraq. Deadliest Sniper in US History. 7 Medals of Bravery.

Chief Chris Kyle (USN) tragically died on Saturday, February 2, 2013. Chris lived and died by his personal creed, “It is our duty to serve those who serve us.” Chris was one of a kind in so many ways. You could tell the difference between those who knew Chris, even if briefly, and those who knew OF Chris. The differences were simple, if they only talked about a fun-loving, humble warrior who loved his family, they heard of him. If they talked about his heart of gold and his ability to give without end, they were touched by him. It they talked about the twinkle in his eye, his hearty laugh, his ability to make you feel like you were important, and that mischievous grin where you just knew he was, “fixin’ to do something”, they really KNEW him.

Chris was a father who was able to bring an unparalleled playful spirit to his family’s home while he taught respect and honor. Every day he felt “blessed and blown away” by the gift God gave him in his children. He was a husband who loved deeply and never stopped trying. He felt his family deserved the best of him and fought tooth and nail to give them everything he had. He succeeded. He was a son and brother who brought laughter and love from the beginning. They have always been, and always will be, proud of the boy he was and the man he became.

A devout Christian, a teammate and friend, Chris had a profound effect on the lives of many. He was publicly known for being the President of Craft International, and the author of the best-selling book American Sniper. He was a Navy SEAL who served four combat tours in Operation Iraqi Freedom and elsewhere. He was awarded several medals for combat bravery, including two Silver Stars and five Bronze Stars with Valor among many others. Chris is a true American hero having devoted his life to the military in active service, philanthropy and tireless support of veterans.

Chris is survived by his loving wife Taya and their two beloved children, parents Wayne and Deby Kyle, brother Jeff Kyle and wife Amy and two daughters, grandmothers, Joyce Kyle and Louise Mercer, parents-in-law, Kent and Kim Studebaker, sister-in-law Ashley Purvis-Smith, her husband, Stewart and their three sons and a daughter.

Memorial services open to the public, will be held Monday, February 11, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. at Cowboy Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

www.chriskyleamericansniper.info

From ABC News abcnews.com 02/03/13:

Former SEAL Chris Kyle Allegedly Killed by Former Marine He Was Trying to Help
Feb. 3, 2013
By DEAN SCHABNER

Former Navy SEAL Chris Kyle and his neighbor Chad Littlefield took former Marine Eddie Ray Routh to a Texas gun range to help him, but for some reason Routh allegedly turned his gun on his two mentors, killing them both, police said today.

ABC News affiliate WFAA-TV in Dallas reported that investigators said Routh, 25, was recovering from post traumatic stress disorder, but police today said they could not confirm that.

Routh, a corporal in the Marines from June 2006 to January 2010, was deployed to Iraq in 2007 and Haiti in 2010, according to the Pentagon. His current duty status is listed as reserve.

"Apparently Mr. Kyle works with people that are suffering from some issues that have been in the military and this shooter is possibly one of those people, that he had taken out to the range to mentor, to visit with, to help him, you know, that's all I can tell you," said Erath County Sheriff Tommy Bryant.

"Kind of have an idea that maybe that's why they were at the range, for some type of therapy that Mr. Kyle assists people with, and I don't know if it's called shooting therapy," Bryant said. "I don't have any idea but that's what little bit of information that we can gather so far."

Witnesses told police that Routh left the shooting scene in Kyle's pickup truck. He drove to his sister's home in Midlothian and when he allegedly told her and her husband that he had shot the two men, the couple called police.

When investigators got there, Routh fled in another vehicle, but he was captured a short time later.

Routh was charged with two counts of capital murder and was being held today at the Erath County Jail on $3 million bond.

Erath County Sheriff's spokesman Jason Upshaw said investigators have recovered the alleged murder weapon.

"Right now it appears that he used a semi-automatic handgun," Upshaw said.

Kyle, who had more than 160 confirmed kills as a sniper serving four tours in Iraq, is the author of the best-selling book "American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History."

He helped found FITCO Cares, an organization that provides at-home fitness equipment for emotionally and physically wounded veterans, and was described by those who knew him as tireless and giving in his efforts to help vets.

"We have lost more than we can replace. Chris was a patriot, a great father, and a true supporter of this country and its ideals. This is a tragedy for all of us. I send my deepest prayers and thoughts to his wife and two children," Scott McEwen, co-author of "American Sniper," said in a statement to ABC News.

Remembering Kyle for the number of Iraqi insurgents he killed misstates his legacy, McEwen said.

"His legacy is not one of being the most lethal sniper in United States history," McEwen said. "In my opinion, his legacy is one of saving lives in a very difficult situation where Americans where going to be killed if he was not able to do his job."

Though Kyle was active in FITCO Cares, the director of the foundation said Kyle and Routh had not met through the organization.

"Chris was literally the type of guy if you were a veteran and needed help he'd help you," Travis Cox, the director of FITCO Cares, told The Associated Press. "And from my understanding that's what happened here. I don't know how he came in contact with this gentleman, but I do know that it was not through the foundation."

I watched the movie American Sniper. It was great and everyobne should see it.

I swas also sadly reminded of another Hero, whose memorial service I attended and photographed. Navy SEAL PO2 Marc A Lee who was killed August 2, 2006. www.iraqwarheroes.org/leea.htm .