Soldier killed in Iraq remembered by family, friends Posted On: Saturday, Jan. 5 2008 02:23 AM By Amanda Kim Stairrett
Killeen Daily Herald

Yes, his real name was Rowdy. No joke.

Capt. Rowdy Inman's first name surprised some, but those who knew him knew the name was a perfect fit.

"I thought to myself there was no man alive who could live up to his name as Rowdy did," said Col. Bill Dolan.

The life of Alaska-born, Texas-raised Inman was celebrated during a memorial service on Friday at Harper-Talasek Funeral Home in Killeen.

A slideshow of photos, accompanied by country music, was shown before the service, and Inman's flat black Harley-Davidson was parked at the front of the chapel.

The 38-year-old officer was killed Dec. 26 by small-arms fire during dismounted combat operations in Mosul, Iraq. Another soldier, Sgt. Benjamin B. Portell, also died. The two were assigned to the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment's 3rd or "Thunder" Squadron.

Inman is survived by his wife, Shannon; daughters, Keeley and Casey; son, Gary; mother, Ann Denny; father, Tony Inman; and numerous friends and relatives.

Fellow soldiers, friends and family members spoke of Inman's personality and antics, which were storied among those who knew him. Inman's antics – from punching boys who looked at his sisters wrong to "borrowing" his parents' vehicles – drew laughter from those who filled the standing-room-only funeral home.

"Rowdy can still draw 'em in, can't he?" joked Tech. Sgt. Jeff Gurley.

Maj. David Olsen first served with Inman in Thunder Squadron when both were troop commanders. Inman was large, loud and confident – a "giant among fellow cavalrymen" – Olsen said, and quickly became legend for more than just being the oldest guy in the squadron after its commander. He recalled a time when Inman led a stakeout to find an AWOL soldier after authorities wouldn't help and a time when the officers were assigned to read a book as part of their professional development.

The book was long and no one had time to read it all, Olsen said, so Inman and another officer divided it up and assigned chapters to their comrades. Each took notes on their section and he compiled them.

Inman was an enlisted soldier and a noncommissioned officer before he graduated in 2000 from Sam Houston State University with a bachelor's degree in military science.

Dolan commanded Thunder Squadron, Inman's first unit after his commissioning. It was clear he was a new officer, Dolan said – not because Inman made stupid second lieutenant mistakes, but because he was acting like a noncommissioned officer.

"Once (he was) convinced he was a platoon leader and not a platoon sergeant, there was no stopping him," Dolan said.

Still, Inman never forgot where he came from, serving as a captain with a hint of noncommissioned officer, Olsen said. He remembered a time he looked into Inman's office and saw him counseling a soldier. Olsen walked in and realized the room was extremely hot.

"The commander's sweating him out," Inman's executive officer told Olsen.

It was that kind of dedication and leadership that soldiers respected, and they emulated him.

"His soldiers really loved him, and I saw it every day," Olsen said.

Once Inman bought a high-speed tactical vest at a local Army supply store and a week later, every soldier in the troop had one, Olsen said with a smile.

The military was part of Inman's life since he was in high school; he was one of the first to sign up for the junior ROTC program when it became available. Everyone saw Inman as a polished, good-looking, handsome soldier, Gurley joked, but he knew Inman before all that.

He remembered a time they were in class and Inman asked another cadet to step outside after they started arguing. Gurley asked the instructor if he was going to stop them and the instructor figured they'd huff and puff, then come back inside.

"That was a big mistake on his part," Gurley said of the instructor.

As soon as the boys stepped outside, Inman knocked out the other cadet with one punch.

"Well, there's not too many words for fighting when it comes to that one," the instructor said.

Another time, a Marine Corps drill instructor was helping the cadets practice drills when he commented on Inman's well-shined shoes. He asked Inman whether he shined them himself. Inman said he didn't, and it angered the drill instructor. After further questioning, Inman said that Gurley had shined them for him. An enraged Marine asked why that happened.

"Sir, while Cadet Gurley was shining my shoes, I was ironing his shirt," Inman answered.

When it came time for Inman to deploy to Iraq for a third time, he didn't want to go, Gurley said. Though he was reluctant to leave his family, he knew what he had to do.

"That's a true hero," Gurley said.

Inman was due to lead Gurley's upcoming retirement ceremony, but instead, Gurley traveled to the East Coast to accompany his friend's remains to Fort Hood.

"(You) won't be able to be at the retirement ceremony," Gurley said. "But I'll know you're there."

Inman was always there for friends and family, said Jason Denny, a cousin who was asked to speak for the family.

"How do you say in a few words what has taken 38 years to develop?" Denny asked.

Inman always had a smile that told you he was up to no good, he said. He gave insight into Inman's childhood, which was filled with stories of him toilet papering homes of girls he liked and hanging his sister's Cabbage Patch doll from the ceiling.

Inman was a role model for family members like his brother-in-law, Bubba. In a statement by Bubba, he described things about Inman he would miss: trips to the ranch, watching Astros games, weekend work projects and talking about life.

Inman knew what was right and he did it.

"I want to be more like Rowdy," Bubba wrote.

"God looks down on Inman and said, 'Here's a guy who lives life to the fullest,'" said Sam Canine, a local preacher. "Everything at 100 percent."

After the service, some of those in attendance filed out a side door of the chapel, passing the Harley, a cavalryman's tribute, medals and photo from the Inman's February 1999 wedding. In it, the captain's head was thrown back and he was laughing – his mouth open wide.

Outside, a line of about 70 Patriot Guard riders holding flags awaited them. A 21-gun salute and taps were sounded in Inman's honor, and Shannon was presented with an American flag.

Contact Amanda Kim Stairrett at astair@kdhnews.com or call (254) 501-7547