Soldier recalled for grin, laughter

21-year-old died in Baghdad blast at end of April

By Tom Roeder, The Gazette

Monday, May 12, 2008

Jerilee Bennett / The Gazette

Seaman Daisy Tucker, sister of Spc. Ronald Tucker, who was killed by an explosion in Iraq, becomes emotional as she stands for the playing of taps at his service at Evergreen Cemetery in Colorado Springs on Monday.

Ronald Tucker spent much of his youth on sports teams.

Spc. Ronald "Ronnie" Tucker's baby face belied the man he had become since joining the Army.

The 21-year-old soldier had fallen in love with a girl in Texas where he was stationed, embraced an Army career and headed to war in Iraq.

The 2005 Fountain-Fort Carson High School graduate died April 30 in a bomb blast in Baghdad.

His funeral Monday at Pikes Peak Christian Church in Security drew hundreds who learned from eulogies by friends and family members about the prankster who tormented and amused classmates in Junior ROTC.

"I want to be like Ronnie," his eldest sister, Samantha Tucker, said in a eulogy. "It's time for the big sister to learn from the little brother. I want to be like Ronnie when I grow up."

Tucker, born and raised in Fountain, was a kid who always seemed to sport a mischievous grin.

"We never stopped laughing, and that was the greatest thing about Ronnie," said friend and classmate Eric Iuso.

In school, Tucker was a well- liked if underachieving student who spent much of his youth on sports teams.

"He got bad grades in school, but was friends with everyone," said his sister, Navy Seaman Daisy Tucker.

Tucker spent his days tinkering with cars, driving like a NASCAR racer, rooting for the Broncos and spending time with friends and family who basked in his happy- go-lucky attitude.

His family knew that Tucker had his sights set on soldiering. He had a patriotic streak and wanted to help protect his country.

"My son was destined to be in the military," his mother, Susan Arnold, told mourners.

His Junior ROTC instructor tried to talk Tucker out of enlisting right away. But the teenager was not swayed.

"I told him to go to college and get an education," 1st Sgt. Leroy Bogan said before the service. "He was a highly motivated kid."

Stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, Tucker thrived. He was a standout soldier, who was picked to drive the company commander.

Tucker called his mother every day, even after he was sent to Iraq in March.

"I knew he was afraid of the unknown, but brushed it aside with humor," Arnold said.

He was behind the wheel on a road in southern Baghdad when he died.

His mother said that when the bomb detonated, Tucker was on his way back to base in a convoy after his unit helped build a soccer field for Iraqi children.

"My son didn't have to go to war and die to be a hero," Arnold said. "All children are heroes the moment they are born."

Samantha Tucker said that in the months before the bombing she was getting to know the man her brother had become.

"He had fallen in love for the first time," she said. "He even sent his mother flowers on her birthday.

"He had grown up."

• May 13, 2008

  9:17 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  DahmersCookbook writes:

  GOD BLESS RONNIE and FAMILY! RONNIE IS A HERO!

• May 13, 2008

  9:25 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  4gColoNative writes:

  Poor headline, RMN. When used in a military or government context, the first meaning of "recall" is "to call back." Meaning brought back into duty or service -or- called back to home soil from a foreign assignment. Thus "remembered" would have been better.

  Best wishes to the family and friends during their grieving for this young man.