Pfc Usmc

Orange Grove, Texas PFC Colton Wesley Rusk, USMC, age 20, passed away December 6, 2010. He was born in Corpus Christi, Texas September 23, 1990. He attended Orange Grove High School where he excelled in Varsity Sports such as football and baseball. He was a 2 yr letterman in football where he was awarded honorable mention left tackle his Junior Year and second team all district left guard his Senior Year. In Baseball he was a three year lettermen where he was awarded honorable mention designated hitter sophomore year, second team all district pitcher his Junior Year and honorable mention 3rd base his Senior Year. He was also a homerun hitter. Not only did he succeed on the playing field, he was also honored by his fellow classmates and teachers. He was voted Mr. O.G.H. S., Senior Class favorite, Prom King, and the Lupe Ochoa Sportsmanship Memorial Award. Colton enlisted in the delayed entry program of the USMC on 6-16-08, Graduated Orange Grove High School on 6-2-09, Graduated USMC San Diego CA 1-29-10, SOI Camp Pendleton CA - Certified infantry machine gunner 4-14-10, Private First Class 5-1-10. Colton was assigned to 3/5 Darkhorse WPNS Co CATT II Camp Pendleton CA. He was chosen to be sent to South Carolina to American K-9 Interdiction to train for Improvised Explosive Device Detector dog handler. Certified on 6-18-10. It was here that he and Eli became a team. He along with Eli left for OEF Afghanistan on his 20th birthday 9-23-10. His awards include, Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal. He is known for his beautiful smile! His motto was "Don't be afraid to go after your hopes and dreams, but don't be afraid to be willing to pay the price". This was what he chose for his motto under his Sr. picture. We have talked to many of his brothers in arms that are still carrying on in Afghanistan and they have all said that Colton saved their lives many times while he was with them and will be greatly missed, but he was their hero. Colton was preceded in death by his Pa, Rudy Rusk retired Navy, Great- Grand dad, Pat L. Alphin, and Great-Grandma Emma Taylor. Colton is survived by his dog Eli; Parents, Darrell and Kathy Rusk of Orange Grove, Texas; Brothers, Cody and Brady Rusk both of Orange Grove, Texas; Grandparents, Wayne and Katy O'Neal of Orange Grove, Texas, Jan Rusk of Orange Grove, Texas; and his Great Grandma, Vivian Alphin from Orange Grove, Texas; Aunts, Stacy Hoot (Aaron) of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Crystal Blakeney (Tim) of Yoakum, Texas, Yvonne Rusk of Orange Grove. Texas; Uncles, Wayne O'Neal Jr. of Corpus Christi, Texas and Brian Rusk (Kristen) of Pearland, Texas, many cousins, and friends that he thought of as family. Visitation will be on Friday, December 17, 2010 from 2:00 to 8:00 P.M. with the family present from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. at Sawyer-George Funeral Home. Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, December 18, 2010 at 10:00 A.M. at the River Hills Baptist Church with Bro. Bill Simmons officiating. Interment will follow in the Sons of Herman Orange Grove Cemetery. Marine Escort: PVT Stuart Brown. Honorary Pallbearers: Cody Rusk, Justin Rokohl, Brady Rusk, Timmy Blakeney, Bill Gorbet, Jeff Rhoads, Stuart Brown, BJ Golding, Crespin " Bagel" Trevino, John Paul Barnes, Cody Winstead, Bubba Miller, Garrett New, Trent Hodges, Joe Piram, Sean Cain, Justin Aguilar, Johnathan Gonzalez and his friend in heaven Jose Martinez. In lieu of flowers the family has requested donation be made to the Colton Rusk Memorial, C/O Value Bank Texas, P.O. Box 4956, Corpus Christi, Texas 78469.