Submitted Army Spc. Brian Gorham of Woodburn died on New Year’s Eve at a Texas hospital. The 23-year-old was severely burned after his Humvee drove over a roadside bomb last month in Afghanistan.

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Army Spc. Brian Gorham, who suffered second- and third-degree burns after his Humvee rolled over a roadside bomb in Afghanistan last month, died at a Texas hospital on New Year’s Eve from his wounds.

Gorham, 23, served with the 173rd Airborne Brigade based in Vicenza, Italy.

At the time of the Dec. 13 explosion, which occurred while Gorham was on patrol, he had been in Afghanistan for six months. He had been recovering in a hospital in San Antonio, Texas.

The explosion left Gorham with severe burns on more than half his body. Other reports indicated that unsuccessful skin grafts and a blood clot complicated the recovery process.

Gorham was well-liked and known among many in the small community where he was raised.

“If you were around Brian for very long you would like him,” said Jack Wright, a Sunday school teacher at Woodburn Baptist Church who led Brian and other youths in a program called Kids for Christ.

Wright’s son, Rob, grew up in the church with Brian and enlisted in the National Guard at the same time that Brian joined the Army.

Wright said his son and Brian stayed in touch through the Internet while Brian was overseas.

“When they both joined the military they created a bond I’ll never know,” Wright said. “About a year or so ago when Brian was in between stations, he told me he enjoyed serving his country. I’m proud to have known him.”

Frances McKinney, Brian’s neighbor, said Brian and his family were always willing to help her out when she needed it.

“When my dad was sick, Brian and his mother would come over and help him up and get around the house,” McKinney said.

When the McKinneys moved into a house across from the Gorhams 15 years ago, Brian and his family helped welcome them to the community.

Frances McKinney said Brian was like “a big brother” to her daughter, 19-year old Stephanie.

McKinney’s husband spent eight years in the Army, so when Brian enlisted, he was able to talk to someone who had military experience.

“I remember him coming over and saying he was really excited about doing something meaningful,” McKinney said. “When I first heard about (the bombing), I thought that it can’t be hitting this close to home, but it was.”

Debbie Brown, a secretary at Woodburn Baptist Church, said Gorham would often arrive at Wednesday church services wearing his Army ROTC uniform.

“I remember that he looked very distinguished and I’m sure he was proud to wear that uniform,” Brown said.