The people who knew him remembered a North Texas Marine at his funeral Friday as a caring, helpful and smiling young man.
Lance Corporal Mark Boterf, 21, from Crowley, died while serving sentry duty at the gate to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina April 8.
The U.S. Marine Corps described the cause as accidental gunfire.
Dozens of Marines attended his funeral Friday at Alsbury Baptist Church in Burleson.
Sergeant Andrew Campbell, a Marine instructor, said Boterf was always smiling and eager to learn.
"Mark was unselfish," Campbell said. "He never, ever put himself before any other Marine and right then he became my instructor. He was my teacher."
Boterf was one of ten children. Two of his brothers are also Marines including twin brother Mike Boterf.
"Mark impacted more people's hearts and minds and souls, than I could ever do in my lifetime," his twin brother said. "he was a leader not only in the family but amongst his peers, and amongst his Marines."
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His sister Roseanna Botert said she has been struggling to find a way to let go of someone so precious.
"There is no easy way, we know that," she said. "But there is a strange gratitude in our hearts."
Roseanna Boterf said the people who loved him are thankful for the time they had and the example he set with humor and compassion.
Mike Boterf said is brother had volunteered for the sentry duty he was serving the night he was shot as a favor to another Marine who needed leave to get married.
At Camp Lejeune, 1st Lt. Peter Koerner said investigators are still considering possible criminal charges against a Marine who was detained after the gunfire that killed Boterf. That Marine's name has not been disclosed.
The findings of Naval Criminal Intelligence Service investigators will be forwarded up the chain of command.
"It could take weeks," Koerner said.
The family asks that contributions be made to the Wounded Warrior Project in Mark Boterf's honor.
Boterf's name will be added to a new Veteran's Plaza which is nearly completed in Crowley. The City of Crowley spent $260,000 on the plaza to honor all the town's men and women who are serving now and have served in the past.
