Nick Gummersall reported killed in Iraq

For the second time in less than three months, a Pocatello solider is killed in the line of duty in Iraq. Local News 8 has confirmed that Sergeant Nick Gummersall, a 2002 graduate of Century High School, was killed Monday morning.

"I was just kind of thinking that the world lost a real good person and probably one of the better people over there fighting for us and working hard for us." Says Sgt. Nick Gummersall's friend Colton Christensen.

23-year-old Sergeant Nick Gummersall is being remembered as a soldier, brother, son, friend, standout athlete and overall hero. "Nick was awesome. He was fun. Always smiling, always having a good time. He worked harder than everybody probably. Military was very fitting for him and I bet he was really really good at it. I bet he was probably one of the best ones actually." Says Christensen.

Sergeant Gummersall was a ranger with the Second Battalion out of Fort Benning, Georgia and was stationed out of Fort Lewis, Washington. This was his fourth tour of duty. Family members say he'd been to Afghanistan before and this was his third time fighting in Iraq. "He's just always up for a good time. Everybody wanted to be friends with nick because when you're with Nick you were having fun." Says Christensen.

Sergeant Gummersall attended Chubbuck Elementary, Hawthorne Junior High and Century High School, graduating in 2002. While at century, he was a standout athlete taking part in baseball, wrestling and football. Family members say he was known as "Gummy Bear" while playing football for the Diamondbacks.

"When I was little we'd stay at his house sometimes and we'd go do stuff and play football with his brother and all the friends in the neighborhood. It usually had something to do with football. He loved football and he was really good at it." Says Christensen

Now friends say they're looking back at the memories they have with Sergeant Gummersall. "Just thinking about old times a little bit. Thinking about times when I used to hang out with him and stuff. Feeling bad I guess, wish it didn't happen." Says Christensen.

Sergeant Gummersall leaves behind his parents, two brothers and three sisters, he's the second oldest of the six children, all-living in Pocatello. No word yet on any funeral arrangements.

From ABC 8