A soldier from Griffin was killed in Afghanistan this week.
Pfc. Johnathon F. Davis, 20, died Thursday of wounds suffered from "enemy small arms fire," the Department of Defense said in a statement. Davis was killed in the Kandahar province in Afghanistan.
The Griffin High School graduate was able to talk to his parents this week, said family spokesman Randall Valimont, pastor at the Griffin First Assembly of God church. Valimont said Davis told his parents that he couldn't wait to be home. Davis' wife, Kristen, is eight months pregnant.
"He was so looking forward to the baby being born," Valimont said.
He described Davis, who was the second of five sons, as an adventurous practical joker. The family is close-knit, Valimont said, and Davis had strong religious beliefs and loved his country.
Davis wanted to be a police officer once he left the Army, Valimont said.
Valimont said Davis' father, Kerry, is a lay pastor at the church, where the family has been members for more than a decade. Davis' oldest brother is in the Navy.
The church will dedicate its Easter program to Davis' memory, Valimont said.
"He was just a good kid," he said. "I can't tell you how shocking this is. It's a devastating thing to see."
Roy McClain, commander of the VFW Post 5448, called Davis a remarkable young man. McClain said Davis' wife is the granddaughter of a member of the post.
"He was full of life and energy and very patriotic," McClain said.
McClain said Davis was excited about his deployment in February.
Davis had just graduated from cavalry scout school, McClain said. He was a member of the 4th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division out of Fort Bragg, N.C.
The Department of Defense did not immediately return phone calls seeking more information.
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