Marine from local unit is killed in Iraq - Tiffin U., Clyde High grad hit by roadside bomb

Lance Cpl. Jeremy Shock, 22, a native of Green Springs, Ohio, was killed Sunday when the Humvee he was traveling in was struck by a roadside bomb in Fallujah, Iraq.

The 2002 Clyde High School graduate, became the second member of the Perrysburg Township-based Weapons Company, 1st Batallion, 24th Marines to be killed in action in Iraq in less than two weeks.

Memorial services were held Saturday for Sgt. Bryan Burgess, 35, of Westland, Mich., who was killed in combat Nov. 9.

Another member of the company, Cpl. John Lockwood, of Washtenaw, Mich., was seriously injured in Sunday's fatal explosion. Lt. Col. Joe Reimer said the extent of Corporal Lockwood's injuries was unknown, although he was expected to recover.

Friends and family members of Corporal Shock were devastated by the news of his death.

Lacy Cherry remembers the first time she met him a few days after moving in at Tiffin University.

The 6-foot, 2-inch, 200-pound football player "was just going around to the dorms introducing himself to everybody," Ms. Cherry recalled. "Ever since then we have been really, really close."

A family member, who did not want to be identified, said Corporal Shock's parents, Duane and Sherry Shock of Green Springs, did not want to speak to the media.

"There's a huge void," he said. "His parents are very, we're all very proud of who he was and who he is to us. He was an exceptional young man."

A spring 2006 graduate of Tiffin University, Corporal Shock earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, said Lisa Williams, executive director of media relations for the university. He had enlisted in the Marine fin University, Corporal Shock earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, said Lisa Williams, executive director of media relations for the university. He had enlisted in the Marine Corps reserves just prior to his senior year, and in April, married his college sweetheart, Clara Ramirez.

"When he received word he was going to Iraq -- I remember it was him pushing this [marriage] issue ... ," said Bonnie Tiell, former assistant athletic director and tennis coach at Tiffin University. "He was just caring and just loved her completely."

Ms. Cherry said the couple were married at the courthouse in Tiffin and had a small reception afterward at a local restaurant. They were planning a larger wedding with Mrs. Shock's family in her native Ecuador next summer, she said.

Corporal Shock's former roommates Seth Mahon and Jake Tidaback remembered a good friend who was smart, worked hard, and made them laugh. "Jeremy was the greatest guy I ever met, and I'm not just saying that because he's gone now," Mr. Mahon said.

"You always hear people say this but he was that guy who if he only had five dollars and you needed it, he was going to give it to you. He never asked for help. If you needed something, he was always there for you," Mr. Mahon said.

Mr. Tidaback called Corporal Shock "the typical best friend, the kid that would be there whenever you needed him. He was always happy. If you were having a bad day, he would make it a good day."

He said Corporal Shock wanted to go into the Marines.

"I couldn't think of a better person to serve our country," Mr. Tidaback said. "That's how I'm getting by right now. I'm reminding myself that's what he wanted to do."

Both Mr. Tidaback and Mr. Mahon had kept in touch with Corporal Shock by e-mail since late September when he arrived in Iraq. "When he got there he basically just told us it had its ups and downs, but it didn't seem too bad," Mr. Mahon said. "Jeremy wasn't a very negative person. Even if it would've been the most horrible thing, he wouldn't have said that."

Still, they said, he sounded eager to get home to his new wife and his old friends.

"He will definitely be missed," Mr. Mahon said. "He's taking a lot of hearts with him."

The flag was lowered to half-staff yesterday at Clyde High School, where Corporal Shock's brother, Zac, is a sophomore and his sister, Sara, is a freshman.

Clyde High School Principal Joe Webb said he coached the soldier when he was a lineman on the school's football team. "Jeremy was just one of those young men who was kind and caring, very outgoing," he recalled. "He was just a great kid to coach. Whatever you asked him to do, you knew he would give his maximum effort and get it done."

Clyde-Green Springs Superintendent Todd Helms, who was the principal when Corporal Shock was in high school, said he "put a lot of effort into everything he attempted to do and obviously was doing the same for the military.

"We were proud to have him as part of our district, and I'm sure the military was proud to have him as well."