Spc. Jeremy L. Stacey was killed on July 5th by a roadside bomb in Baghdad. Spc. Stacey spent a large portion of his life growing up in Amarillo, Texas, and later moved with his mother, Betty Click, to Bismarck, Arkansas, where he graduated from Bismarck High School in 2003. Shortly after graduating from high school, he enlisted in the Army. Spc. Stacey was remembered by those in Bismarck as a great guy that everyone loved. He had been called a prankster with a quick wit by those who knew him well, and his death has been devastating for his family and the Bismarck community. He was the first fatality of the Bismarck graduates serving in Iraq. Spc. Stacey was an M1 Armor Crewman with the 1st Calvary Division stationed in FortBliss, Texas, and had received the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon. He was posthumously appointed to the rank of corporal and awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

After his graduation in Arkansas, Stacey’s mother moved to Los Chavez, New Mexico, and although he re enlisted in December for another three-year term, he talked of moving to New Mexico to be near his mother once his service was complete. A talented writer who wrote fiction, Stacey also dreamed of going to college one day. He is survived by his mother and four sisters: Jessica Stacey, Shaila Stacey, Lisa Close, and Erica Close.