Capt. Kevin D Sirucek

Captain Kevin D. Sirucek, 36, passed away near Autobahn 6 close to Crailsheim, Germany, on June 11, 2013.  Kevin’s ashes will be scattered over the big Montana sky by his wife, Beccy.

At the time of his passing, Kevin was stationed in Ansbach, Germany, and the Company Commander for Echo Company Forward Support Company and was in Army Logistics Operations being responsible for the planning, coordination and supervision of a global supply chain and material management.

He married Loretta Gamboa and they later divorced.  In January of 2005, Kevin met the love of his life, Rebecca Sudenn, and they were married in July of that year.

Kevin was born in Lewistown, Montana, on February 17, 1977, to David and Karen Sirucek.  He attended school in Shelby and graduated from Shelby High School in 1995.  After graduation, he enlisted in the Marine Corps in January of 1995.  During his years of service, Kevin was stationed in Korea, Puerto Rico, Japan, Hawaii, Okinawa, Uzbekistan and Ukraine.  During twelve years in the United States Marine Corps, he achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant and deployed four times, twice with the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, in support of the Global War on Terror.    On January 16, 2006, Kevin departed 8 ^th Marines Infantry Regiment located at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and reported to the U.S. Army Officer Candidate School, Ft. Benning, Georgia.  Upon commissioning as a Second Lieutenant, he attended the Transportation Basic Officer Leaders’ Course at Fort Eustis, Virginia.  Upon graduation, Kevin reported to the Echo Company, 5-158 ^th Aviation Regiment, 12 ^th Combat Aviation Brigade, for duty as the Distribution Platoon Leader and Executive Officer.  In May, 2009, as a First Lieutenant, Kevin was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 5-158th Aviation Regiment and was deployed to Shindand, Afghanistan, as an Assistant S3.  Kevin was promoted to the rank of Captain in May of 2010.  Immediately following his deployment to RC-West, Kevin attended the Combined Logistics Captain’s Career Course at Fort Lee, Virginia.  Upon graduation, Kevin entered into the Logistics Branch and deployed in support of the Afghanistan National Security Forces to NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan as the Foreign Military Sales Chief of Transportation in Kabul, Afghanistan.  Immediately following his assignment in Afghanistan, Kevin reported to Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 12 ^th Combat Aviation Brigade, where he served as the Assistant S4 Logistics Officer.  On August 3, 2012, he assumed command of Echo Company 5-15th (Phoenix) while deployed to Mazar-E-Sharif in support of OEF 12-13.

Kevin’s personal awards included the Italian National Medal awarded for his combat heroism in Afghanistan, one of only two Americans since World War II ever to do so, the German Armed Forces Physical Fitness Badge (Gold), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (oak leaf cluster), Army Achievement Medal, Navy & Marine Corp Achievement Medal (Second Award), and the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal.

While in the service Kevin graduated from the University of Idaho in 2005 majoring in General Studies, with International Business, German and History as his special interests.  He was very proud of the fact that the University of Idaho published a story on his accomplishments in October of 2004 and also for their 2012 Veteran’s Day edition.

Kevin was loved by all who knew him, always had a smile on his face, gave great bear hugs, and ready to help anyone who needed it.  He had a strong work ethic, was proud of the fact that he had the ability to connect with people on a personal level, whether it be teaching, coaching or being a mentor to some of the best sons, daughters, wives and husbands in the military.   His hobbies included, running, skiing and playing the drums, but his passion was skydiving and he tried to convince everyone there was nothing better than jumping out of airplanes.  He went skydiving many places in Germany as well as Spain and France and wind tunneling in Praha.

Kevin was preceded in death by his father, David Sirucek; and his grandparents, Ken and LeVaughn Smith and Patricia Sonneburg; and an aunt, Leta Kay Keisz.

Kevin is survived by his wife, Rebecca Sudenn-Sirucek; son, Jonathen Jenks; parents, Leonard and Karen Young; sister, Kimberly Goddard, and her two children, Michael Goddard and Ashley-Ann Goddard; grandfather, Robert Sirucek; step-mother, Lu Sirucek; various aunts, uncles and cousins.

Memorials in Kevin’s name are suggested to Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch or to the charity of your choice.