Kansascity.com -- NEWKIRK, Okla. - A 22-year-old soldier from Newkirk was killed Friday in Iraq when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle, family members confirmed on Sunday.

Spc. Jared D. Hartley was assigned to the 125th Forward Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division, at Fort Riley, Kan.

Hartley was a turret gunner aboard a Humvee that was targeted near Taji, his brother, Staff Sgt. Alex Hartley, 25, told the Associated Press in a telephone interview.

"That's probably why he got killed," Alex Hartley said. "Being exposed like that, he probably took the brunt of the explosion."

Jared Hartley was a 2002 graduate of Newkirk High School, where he played football and basketball, his brother said.

He joined the Army shortly after graduating from high school and deployed for a 13-month tour in Iraq, Alex Hartley said.

"When he came back, he was going to get out of the military, but they told him they needed him," Alex Hartley said. "He said, 'No problem, I'll stay in as long as you need me.'"

He returned for his second tour in March.

Hartley said his brother was committed to the military's mission in Iraq and pleased with the positive response he received from the Iraqi people.

"He said people he talked to were glad they were there," Alex Hartley said. "Protecting our country and helping people - he felt good about his mission."

The sons of Doug and Kathie Hartley, the two boys grew up on a small ranch in Newkirk, where they raised show cattle, Alex Hartley said.

"He liked to ride four-wheelers and he had a Jeep," Alex Hartley said. "He liked the outdoors. He was a real free spirit. He got along with just about everyone you could imagine."

Funeral arrangements have not been made, the family said.