Gerrick D. Smith of Sullivan, Illinois, a joyful soul who had a wonderful sense of humor and was always willing to try something new. An athletic, outgoing teenager, he played soccer, football and track in school, where he was also known to get into a slight bit of trouble now and then. Gerrick was everybody's friend, helping them out when needed and would stand up for his friends to the bitter end. He performed in some school plays during high school, and once during a long eight-hour rehearsal, he came in attired in a green sequined dress just to break things up. Gerrick graduated from Sullivan High School in 2008 and had enlisted in the Illinois National Guard in February of 2007. His unit, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry left Marion, Illinois, deployed to Afghanistan in late September 2008 and arrived in Afghanistan in December. It was his first deployment. Gerrick died July 29 in Herat, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of sergeant. Gerrick was a member of the Church of Christ and growing up was in Boy Scout Troop #39. He is survived by his mother, Marilyn Smith; sister, Seeley Smith; maternal grandparents, Tom and Mary Smith, all of Sullivan; father, David Jones of Mt. Zion; paternal grandparents, Dale and Sharon Jones of Lovington; half brother, Eric Jones of Cerro Gordo; one nephew, several aunts and uncles and many friends. (Bio written by Sue)
Please note that the family states his death date as July 28 but his marker and the Dept. of Defense list it as July 29.
Please note that the family states his death date as July 28 but his marker and the Dept. of Defense list it as July 29.
Gerrick D. Smith of Sullivan, Illinois, a joyful soul who had a wonderful sense of humor and was always willing to try something new. An athletic, outgoing teenager, he played soccer, football and track in school, where he was also known to get into a slight bit of trouble now and then. Gerrick was everybody's friend, helping them out when needed and would stand up for his friends to the bitter end. He performed in some school plays during high school, and once during a long eight-hour rehearsal, he came in attired in a green sequined dress just to break things up. Gerrick graduated from Sullivan High School in 2008 and had enlisted in the Illinois National Guard in February of 2007. His unit, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry left Marion, Illinois, deployed to Afghanistan in late September 2008 and arrived in Afghanistan in December. It was his first deployment. Gerrick died July 29 in Herat, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of sergeant. Gerrick was a member of the Church of Christ and growing up was in Boy Scout Troop #39. He is survived by his mother, Marilyn Smith; sister, Seeley Smith; maternal grandparents, Tom and Mary Smith, all of Sullivan; father, David Jones of Mt. Zion; paternal grandparents, Dale and Sharon Jones of Lovington; half brother, Eric Jones of Cerro Gordo; one nephew, several aunts and uncles and many friends. (Bio written by Sue)
Please note that the family states his death date as July 28 but his marker and the Dept. of Defense list it as July 29.
Please note that the family states his death date as July 28 but his marker and the Dept. of Defense list it as July 29.
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