Theodore “Coty” West, a 23-year-old private first class with the U.S. Army’s 1st Cavalry Division and son of a Berea man, died Wednesday in Iraq when a roadside bomb exploded near his vehicle, the Army announced Friday.

He had been in Iraq for less than a month.

According to a statement from his family released by the Fort Knox media relations office, West, was married on July 8 to Jennifer L. Gregory.

West’s father and stepmother, Bill and Mary Ann West, live in Berea. West’s mother, Rene Brandenburg, lives in Arlington, Texas.

Arrangements are pending at Oldham, Roberts and Powell Funeral Home in Richmond. To express condolences visit the funeral home’s Web site at www.orpfh.com.

West also leaves behind three brothers and a sister.

After school, West worked as an equipment operator and foreman in the family’s energy and construction business and on the family farm before deciding to enlist in the Army in 2005.

“He loved the outdoors, horses, hunting and fishing,” his family’s statement said. “He also enjoyed working on and operating equipment, trucks, and cars.

“Coty was a thoughtful, caring man who made everyone he met feel special and loved. He volunteered for military service because he wanted to make a difference in the world and keep those he loved safe.

“He had a deep love and respect for his fellow soldiers, especially those of his 2-5, Bravo Company. Coty believed his job was to protect those he loved and cared about the most, calling his military duty ‘my watch,’” his family said.

In letters home, “He continually said that he believed in his job, that he was good at his job and that he would not let those he loved or the fellow soldiers in his company down.”

His family said, “We are very proud of Coty, his many accomplishments, his pride in what he did and his loving attitude toward life.

“We are extremely grateful that our lives were blessed and enriched with Coty for the short time we had him. We wish everyone to know that he was very important and special to us all and that Coty and his life mattered.

“His life and time made a difference. We are still dealing with the grief of his loss and thank everyone for their prayers during this incredibly difficult time.”

Bill Robinson can be reached at brobinson@richmondregister.com or at 623-1669, Ext. 267.