Memorial Honors Life of Marine, Central Texas Native

A Marine who spent his childhood in Central Texas was honored at a memorial service in Waco Saturday afternoon.

Our partners at News 10 report that 32-year-old Matthew Randell Gurule spent his childhood in Waco, graduated from China Spring High School in 2004, and joined the Marines in 2005. He served four tours overseas, including duties in Iraq and Afghanistan.

After serving his country, Gurule settled in New Mexico, where he went missing on July 27th. His body was found in a ditch on August 2016.

Task & Purpose reports that a couple - Francisco Gomez and Jeannine Willard - robbed and murdered Gurule. Willard reportedly watched as Gomez shot Guru four times before putting the Marine's body in the trunk of his car and driving it to a ditch and dumping it. The couple then cleaned Gurule's car and set it ablaze near a highway.

It brings my blood to a boil to think that a decorated Marine was treated this way by two cowards.

Gurule's family hosted a ceremony to honor him Saturday at Christ the King Church on Lakeshore Drive.

"I'm a very proud marine mom, and he gave me that right to say I'm a marine mom," Gurule's mother, Sandra Miller, said. "We are going to miss him greatly but we know he is with the lord."

Like me, I know countless people here in Central Texas have relatives who've served in the armed forces. Take the time today to check on them and thank them for their service.