LANCE CPL. CHRIS FOWLKES Hope remained throughout Chris Fowlkes' battle.

His parents, who flew to his bedside at a U.S. medical facility in Landstuhl, Germany, on Monday had been sharing updates on the 20- year-old Marine's condition ever since they got there.

On Tuesday, they told of how they were reading to their son the letters people had written to him, as well as the Word.

"We know he hears all the prayers," Steve and Donna Fowlkes wrote from Germany. "When we talk with him his heart rate increases. This is a good sign."

The hope remained even Thursday morning.

"It is 12:40 p.m. here in Germany," his parents wrote. "Our beautiful hero had a rough night. He is back in critical condition due to kidney failure and the doctors tell us we won't be able to bring him back home tomorrow as hoped. But the doctors also said he is strong and fighting."

Just a few hours later, Gaffney lost a "hero."

Bearing news that saddened an entire community, a family friend confirmed Lance Cpl. Christopher Scott Fowlkes died at 9:30 a.m. Eastern time due to complications from injuries suffered Sept. 3 when a roadside bomb exploded in the Helmand province of Afghanistan.

Cherokee County's Veteran Affairs Officer Todd Humphries lowers the United States flag to half staff outside the Peachtree Centre following the death of Lance Cpl. Christopher Fowlkes, a 20-year-old Marine from Gaffney. Fowlkes died Thursday at a U.S. hospital in Landstuhl, Germany, due to complications from the injuries he sustained Sept. 3 when a roadside bomb struck his unit in Afghanistan. "Chris fought a long and hard battle and is a true American hero," family friend Leighann Turner said while reading a statement on behalf of the Fowlkes family. "The family wishes to express their thanks for your continued prayers and ask that you continue to remember all servicemen and women, together with their families."

The Fowlkes family statement added, "We are a family of deep faith and through our pain and loss we are steadfast in God's love and plans."

Cherokee County Council asked that all flags in Cherokee County be lowered to half staff in Fowlkes' honor.

Funeral arrangements had not been discussed as of Thursday afternoon. U.S. Marine Major Russ Wright of Gaffney is expected to accompany Fowlkes back home.

Todd Humphries, Veteran Affairs Officer for Cherokee County, said Fowlkes will be buried with full military honors and that the U.S. Marine Corps will be participating.

Fowlkes is the first Gaffney serviceman to be killed during wartime since the Vietnam War, Humphries said.

Fowlkes and four others were critically injured in a Sept. 3 blast when they exited their vehicle to engage the enemy in Afghanistan and another Marine stepped on the pressure plate of an improvised explosive device in the ground. Two of the servicemen, U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Christopher S. Baltazar Jr., 19, of San Antonio, Texas, and U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Benjamin P. Castiglione, 21, of Howell, Mich., were killed in the blast while Fowlkes, a third Marine and a U.S. Navy corpsman survived but were badly wounded.

Sgt. Major Luke Converse of the 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion in Afghanistan said in an e-mail that a memorial service will be held Sept. 14 in Afghanistan for all three men killed as a result of the blast.

Following his initial treatment in Afghanistan, Fowlkes was transferred to a U.S. medical facility in Germany on Sunday and underwent at least two surgeries, including a seven-hour surgery Tuesday. His parents, in

an update from Germany after the seven-hour surgery was performed, said Chris, though still in critical condition, was looking and breathing better and there was a possibility he would be stable enough to be flown back on Sept. 11.

"For now, please continue to pray for his recovery and pray for the medical teams delivering him and receiving him during this critical time," they concluded their update.

The updates were being posted to the Caringbridge.org Web site, where a special page was set up to keep well-wishers informed about Fowlkes' progress and his story. Condolences started pouring in Thursday afternoon as news of his passing spread.

Addressing Fowlkes' father, Steve, Debbie Bryant wrote, "Dear Steve and family, my heart is so heavy for your great loss. Chris was a hero and forever will be a hero in heaven. My prayers will continue for your family to heal and for all the others still serving and giving their lives so we can be free."

Hers was a sentiment shared by many.

Details about services for Fowlkes will be made available online and in print as they become available.