Military Death

Another Michigan soldier has been killed in the war on terror.

Over the weekend a West-Michigan soldier was killed in Afghanistan.

Kris Rodgers was a two sport athlete, playing football and running track and competing in front of hundreds of fans. His coaches say he had an adaptable personality, willing to fill in and help when he was needed...That's why they believe he was meant to serve his country. Filling in, it's what Kris Rodgers did. 

He was a father. 

Rich Ultz, Kris Rodgers' brother-in-law said, "he loved his wife and kid.

He was soldier.

Sherry Evans, Kris Rodgers' mother-in-law said, "he was a very proud man what he was doing for all of us and his country."

This 29-year-old's life was cut short, after he was killed while serving in Afghanistan this past Saturday; His Humvee was hit by an explosive.

Evans said, "He wanted to go to Afghanistan and we as a family and a group supported him 100-percent.

His mother-in-law knows what she'll miss...His hugs...His love for his family...Always trying to make sure to do things the right way.

Keith Thompson, Kris Rodger's football coach said,"..very contagious personality...Everyone liked him. He played both ways and was really really a phenomenal player."

He also starred in track, and though he graduated from Lakeland High School in 1998, his track coach remembers him filling voids when a teammate couldn't run.

"Sometimes kids stick out in your mind and he was an individual that stuck out in my mind," said Nick Efthimou, Kris Rodger's Track Coach & Teacher. "He was kind of the character individual, whatever you'd ask him, he'd do."

Kris Rodgers presence filled so many lives, making his loss that much harder.