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November 7, 2009

Okla. soldier among dead

Fort Hood shooting claims former resident

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – A recently married, 22-year-old soldier from southwest Oklahoma was one of the 13 people killed in a shooting rampage at Fort Hood, his mother said Friday.

Gale Hunt of Frederick said two uniformed soldiers came to her door at 11:30 p.m. Thursday to notify her of the death of her son, Spc. Jason Dean Hunt.

She said her son entered the military after graduating from Tipton High School, and had served three and a half years, including a stint in Iraq. He was previously stationed at Fort Stewart in Georgia.

Hunt said her son was married two months ago. He re-enlisted for an additional six years after serving his first two-year hitch. She described him as family-oriented.

“He didn’t go in for hunting or sports,” she said. “He was a very quiet boy who enjoyed video games.”

Hunt said the military told her that her son’s body will be flown to Dover, Md., before final burial arrangements are made.

Kathy Gray, an administrative assistant at Tipton Schools, said Hunt, known as J.D., started attending school in Tipton in elementary school and graduated in 2005.

“He was a real quiet kid, just kind of a quiet boy and a good kid, very kind,” Gray said.

Superintendent Shane Boothe said school officials were planning to have a moment of silence Friday night at the Tipton football game against Thackerville and will plan other memorials.

Gov. Brad Henry ordered flags on state property to be flown at half-staff through Tuesday for the Oklahoma serviceman and the other Fort Hood victims.

“On behalf of all Oklahomans, my thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of J.D. Hunt,” Henry said. “Like all Americans, we grieve for all the victims of that horrific shooting, but this tragedy hits especially close to home in light of this young man’s death.”

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