Tulsa Marine killed in Iraq left a lasting impression back in Oklahoma

Monday, November 29th 2004, 2:53 pm

By: News On 6

19-year-old US Marine Lance Corporal Jordan Winkler died Friday while stationed at a hospital in Fallujah. The circumstances surrounding his death are still under investigation, but those who knew Winkler spent much of Monday remembering his life.

News on 6 reporter Ashli Sims says Winkler was known as a strong but quiet leader.

It was the uniform that Jordan Winkler had longed to wear and his friends and family say he wore it well. Family friend Scott Richardson: "Jordan was a dedicated Marine who was proud to be in Iraq serving his country and doing his job as a Marine we will miss him more than words can say."

Winklerâ€™s teacher Paul Todd: "He was a quiet individual but you knew where he stood he was very honest had a lot of integrity." Paul Todd taught Jordan Winkler at Union High School. He remembers when Winkler used to walk the halls.

Winkler was always active in sports, a member of the wrestling team for much of high school and well liked by his peers, but Todd says it was his strong character and morals that really made him stand out. "You knew where he stood he lived by his principles and he was a good role model for everyone that knew him."

Todd kept in touch with Winkler. And the young Marine even stopped by Todd's class just before he left for Iraq. "I donâ€™t think there were any apprehensions at all I think he felt that it was a humanitarian mission he always had a good heart."

Todd doesn't share a family bond with Winkler, but their both Marines, so he says they're family all the same. "We're gonna have some very fond memories. And I think that's what we've got to think about. And to be quite honest, I donâ€™t think we have any bad memories of Jordan."

Jordan made a big impression on a lot of people. One word kept coming up in regards to Jordan Winkler, integrity.

His family is still making the funeral arrangements, but a US Marines spokesperson told the News on 6 it's scheduled for Saturday.