PORTLAND (AP) - U.S. Army Sgt. Sean Patrick Fennerty of Portland has been killed in combat in Iraq.

Fennerty, 25, died Saturday in Al Anbar Province when the vehicle he was in was struck by a roadside bomb, according to the Oregon Military Department.

Fennerty was stationed at Fort Richardson, Alaska, with the 25th Infantry Division.

He was born in San Diego at the Naval Hospital while his father was on active duty. Fennerty grew up in Tucson, Ariz., and Portland. He graduated from Jesuit High School in 1999 and Oregon State University in 2004.

“Sean is remembered as a faith-filled person who participated in all areas of the school,” Jesuit High School officials said in a statement Monday. “He took it upon himself to strengthen the school community with his generous and giving spirit.

“These qualities enabled him to be a friend to many faculty and students while he attended Jesuit. His classmates will miss his sense of humor and deep sense of loyalty to them.”

Fennerty's family told the Oregon Military Department that Fennerty always wanted to be in the military and serve his country and felt this was part of honor and service.

Fennerty is survived by his mother, father, two sisters and brother.

According to a list kept by Gov. Ted Kulongoski's office Fennerty is the 78th soldier from Oregon or with close Oregon ties to die in the Iraq war.