Bobby L. Twitty

Thursday, July 26 2007 @ 08:40 AM EDT

The Bryan-College Station Eagle -- A Bedias family mourned Monday after learning their son, a Madisonville High School graduate, was killed in Iraq over the weekend.

Bobby L. Twitty, 20, died in an accident in Ramadi at 8:17 p.m. Sunday, his family confirmed Monday. He was serving his fifth month in Iraq as a Marine.

Information about the death was unavailable from the U.S. Department of Defense on Monday. Family members also declined to release detailed information about Twittty's death.

"It was just a freak accident," said Carolyn Johnson, his aunt.

Ramadi - located in the Anbar province and where Twitty was stationed in the war - was considered to be among the most dangerous cities in Iraq for much of the war. However, a deal struck between U.S. military officials and local tribal sheiks to team up to fight Al-Qaida has nearly achieved a halt in fighting in the region, according to recent media reports.

Family members said Twitty joined the Marines immediately after graduating from high school in 2005.

"He was looking for a challenge," his father said.

He was deployed to Iraq in February and remained there until his death.

He is survived by a large family. He was the second oldest among six brothers and sisters.

His older brother, 22-year-old James Twitty, is currently serving in the Army in Germany and will be returning to Bedias soon.

Family members remembered Bobby Twitty on Monday night as a caring individual devoted to friends and family.

"When he would come home from leave he would make sure that he spent all of his free time with his family and friends," said Johnson.

At home, Twitty enjoyed playing pool and bowling. He also loved hunting with his father and uncle, family members said.

They said he will be remembered by his friends from school as outgoing and fun-loving.

"In the short 20 years that he was with us, he made a lasting impression with numerous people," Johnson said.

As of Monday night, the Department of Defense had confirmed 3,632 U.S. deaths in Iraq since the war begun. Fifty-seven soldiers have been reported dead in July. Neither of those totals include Twitty, whose death had not been confirmed Monday night.

Twitty's funeral arrangements are still pending, and his body will be taken to the Madisonville Funeral Home when it arrives in the United States.

Some of Twitty's siblings were on vacation in Wyoming when they heard about their brother's death. It was a vacation, family members say, Twitty would have loved.

"He liked the outdoors. He was known as tough but had a heart of gold and a contagious smile," Johnson said. "He will be missed by many and was loved by all."

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