Larry I. Guyton

Friday, May 11 2007 @ 06:36 AM EDT

Houston Chronicle -- Tonya Guyton knew something was wrong last Friday when she didn't hear from her husband, Larry I. Guyton, a Brenham soldier in Iraq.

The couple communicated through instant messages or e-mail every day since Larry began his tour in Iraq last October.

Just the day before he had reminded her that he loved her and their two sons, Jaidyn, 2, and 1-year-old Kenyon.

But when 24-year-old Tonya's phone rang Friday night, it was a military staff sergeant on the other end of the line.

"When he said, 'Is this Tonya Guyton?' I said, 'Can I sit down first?' " she said. "I knew immediately something was wrong."

She learned that her 22-year-old husband was severely injured when an explosive device detonated near his Humvee in Baghdad. The staff sergeant said they were not sure whether he would make it through the night.

The next morning, Guyton learned her husband had died.

Guyton enlisted in the Army a year after graduating from Bellville High School, said Debbie Rogers, the soldier's sister.

Guyton was a member of the Bellville JROTC and the Buffalo Soldiers, an organization dedicated to teaching about the black cavalries that served during the Civil War.

Guyton felt strongly about joining the military because he wanted to change negative stereotypes about young black men, Rogers said.

"He just wanted to do something positive with his life," she said.

A private first class, Guyton was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood.

Shortly before he left for Iraq, Guyton married Tonya after three years of dating.

The family regularly gathered to make care packages for Guyton.

They went out twice a month and included cookies, candy, juice, towels and cigarettes, Rogers said.

"We would send enough so that he could share with all his friends," she said.

Guyton enjoyed camping, fishing and hunting.

"Larry loved being in cowboy boots and spurs," Rogers said.

Guyton visited home in February, spending most of his time with his two boys, Rogers said. He expected to return for good in August.

"With his passing ... " Rogers paused. "He's like our family angel."

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