Operation Iraqi Freedom Spc Roy Russell Buckley at Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery Gary Indiana

Age 24 of Portage, was killed while in service of his country in Baghdad, Irag. Survived By his mother and father Rev. Janie & Phillip Espinoza Of Portage; 2 daughters, Alicia Buckley of Hobart, Paige Autumn Buckley of Lake Station; fiancee, Jenina M. Bellina of Chicago; sister, Catrena (William) Morris of Portage; 2 brothers, Victor (kim) Calvin of Hobart; Charles (Judy) Calvin of Portage; Step-sister, Nancy (Michael) Mendoza of Ohio; maternal grandmother, Mary Richard of Nwe Chicago; and 14 nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by Maternal grandfather Bishop Ivy J. Richard and Paternal grandfather Rush Buckley. Roy was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of New Chicago. He was a former employee of Midwest Steel and graduate of Merrillville High School Class of 1996. He was a member of the American Legion, the VFW and the United Steelworkers of America.
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Army Spc. Buckley was assigned to the 685th Transportation Company, Hobart, Indiana. Buckley drove fuel trucks for the unit. In his last letter home, Roy wrote of the anguish he felt for the children of Iraq and of his pride in being a soldier. "The kids here are so sad. I give them as much food as possible," he wrote. Buckley died while traveling aboard a M818 tractor-trailer. He apparently fell off the truck when he was climbing between the passenger compartment and trailer while dispensing meals and water to Iraqis. He was still alive when medics found him on the side of the road, but they couldn't save his life. Roy was a sports nut growing up. He had an orange belt in karate and could squat incline 950 pounds without breaking a sweat. About three years ago, he joined the Reserves to help with college, learn a trade, and find his way. Somewhere along the line, the laid off Midwest steel mill worker wrapped his heart around the Army. Roy, a huge country music fan, parked his red 1999 Ford F150 pickup truck outside the home with strict orders: "Only mom and dad could drive it." He bought it a month before being deployed. One of the last memories the family has of Roy is of all 6-foot, 3-inchs of him trying to ride a kid's tiny 50cc dirt bike - with training wheels.