Tulsa Battalion Bids Farewell to a Fallen Comrade

By Lt. Col. Phillip Taylor

Battalion Commander, 1st Battalion, 354th Regiment, 95th Training Division (IET)

TULSA, Okla. — On December 12, 2014, the 1st Battalion, 354th Regiment conducted a Unit Memorial Ceremony to honor the life of Spc. Christa Danielle Engles. She was tragically killed in an accident, involving a firearm, in her home, in Tulsa, Oklahoma on November 24, 2014. Engles was assigned as a Supply Specialist to D Co, 1/354th, 95th Training Division (IET).

Soldier tributes were provided by the Battalion Commander, Lt. Col. Phillip Taylor, Company Commander, Capt. S. Galen Chapman, and her immediate supervisor, Staff Sgt. Jonathan Schaefer. The Company First Sergeant, 1st Sgt. Jeff Bolin, conducted the final roll-call and an Honor Guard provided a three volley salute to Engles. Her husband and mother-inlaw attended the ceremony.

In Memory of Spc. Christa Engles:

Spc. Christa Engles was born November 11, 1988 in Altus, Oklahoma to Richard B. and Shannon (Gipson) Davis. She departed this life November 24, 2014 in Tulsa at the age of 26 years and 13 days.

Engles grew up in Pryor, Oklahoma and graduated from Pryor High School with the class of 2006. She was a cheerleader at Pryor High School and was recognized as Who’s Who of American High School Students. Her academics and education were very important to her. She attended Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma for two years to further her education. She was a member of Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority and OSSM (Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics). She was a member of Word Fellowship Church in Chouteau, Oklahoma. Engles was very active in her church and was the photographer for the “Luke 10 Initiative.”

Engles served six years with the U.S. Army Reserve as a Supply Specialist and was very dedicated to her military career. She was part of the Veterans Funeral Detail and was meticulous in seeing that honor and respect was followed.

She lived in Tulsa for about the last three years and married Brian Engles on August 27, 2011 in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Family was the most important part of her life and she will be missed by all who knew her. The ultimate goal in her life was her God, her husband, her children and her Family.

Engles is survived by husband Brian, two children Brian Lee and Charity Grace, her parents Rick and Shannon Davis of Chouteau, two brothers Russell and Ryelee Davis both of Chouteau, mother-inlaw Dianne Willgress of Tulsa, father-in-law Pat Engles and wife Carolyn of Pryor. Christa Engles is also survived by her Army Family and other Family and loved ones.

The 1/354th, 95th Training Division (IET) Unit Memorial Ceremony for Spc. Christa Engles on December 12, 2014. Photo by 1st Lt. Jarod Rains, E Co, 1/354, 95th Training Division (IET).