HARRISON - Sgt. Scott Douglas Dykman died Dec. 20, 2006, while doing his duty in Baghdad, Iraq. The Army had become home for Scott, he had found his niche and planned to make the Army his career. Shortly before his death he attained the rank of sergeant and 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 placed third in the nation in Golden Gloves boxing. He loved rodeo. He was a member of 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 to Airborne School and graduated in February 2004 as a paratrooper. He served with the 82nd Airborne Division out of Fort Bragg, N.C. He did 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, Anchorage, Alaska. Scott was on his third deployment to Iraq when he was killed as a result of an improvised explosive devise.

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.

Survivors include his wife, Chantelle; children, William and Rachell; parents, Douglas and Sue (stepmother) Dykman and Donna and Ron (stepfather) Koontz; grandparents, John and Betty Dykman and Dick and Janet Autry; maternal great-grandmother, Lucy Townsend; brothers, Cpl. Michael (Ashley) Dykman, Spc. Michael (Patty) Johnson, Tim (Casey) Johnson, Ron Koontz Jr., Ted (Kim) Koontz; sister, Leanne Koontz; 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, in the Harrison High School Gym with interment to follow in 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." Memorials: A trust fund has been established at First Madison Valley Bank in Ennis in William and Rachel's names.

K&L Mortuaries of Harrison is in charge of arrangements.

Express condolences at www.mtstandard.com/obits.