Lance Cpl. Christopher O. Grant, 20, of Richwood, La., died Oct. 20, while conducting combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C. He was a 2012 graduate of Richwood High School, where he was active in the Junior ROTC program, according to a report on The (Monroe) News Star newspaper's web site. The school flew its U.S. flag at half-mast Monday in Grant's memory, according to the newspaper. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in July 2012 and was promoted to lance corporal on June 1, a Marine Corps spokesman said. His awards include the Global War on Terror Service Medal and the National Defense Medal. LCpl Grant attended Robinson Elementary School, Ouachita Jr. High, Ouachita High School, and graduated Richwood High School in 2012. While attending Richwood High School he joined the R.O.T.C. and became squad leader and also participated in track, football, and baseball. At Ouachita Jr. High School and later at Ouachita High School he sang in choir and was lead singer. He was a member of the Explorer Volunteer Group at the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo where he worked his way up to camp counselor, helping with children 4 to 15 years old. Shortly after graduating Richwood High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Marines. During training in boot camp at Paris Island, SC, he was made squad leader, and he made Private First Class by the time he graduated boot camp on October 19, 2012. Before shipping out to Afghanistan, he received another promotion. Chris was handsome, intelligent, caring, thoughtful, witty, and above all else, strived to be the best of The Few, The Proud, The Marines. Survivors include by his mother, LaShonda Grant; brothers, Patrick Grant, O'Bryan Grant; sisters, Patricia Grant, Latricha Grant, Darneshia Grant, YuShonna Speck and YuShunta Speck; half-brother, Marcus Williams, Jr.; half-sister, Janyia Dorsey; grandparents, David and Madelyn, Murrell, and Barbara Williams, Donnie Fintroy; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Pallbearers will be the Military Honor Guard U.S. Marines. Funeral services for LCpl Christopher O'Bryan Grant, 20, of Monroe, will be held at 1:45 PM, Saturday, November 2, 2013, at North Monroe Baptist Church, Monroe, LA, with Supt. Charles Stevenson and Rev. Steven Dixon officiating. Interment will follow at Richwood Memorial Gardens. Obituary information provided by Mulhearn Funeral Home, Monroe.