Friends Mourn the Loss of Coronado-Based Navy SEAL Killed in Iraq

Friends of a Coronado-based Navy SEAL killed in Iraq say he was a happy young man

Friends of a Coronado-based Navy SEAL killed in Iraq Tuesday morning say he was a happy young man.

Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Charlie Keating IV, 31, was killed fighting with Kurdish Forces in Iraq.

NBC 7 San Diego found out there is so much more to Keating than his courage in battle.

Keating’s fiancée Brooke Clark and her family also live in Coronado. The two would have tied the knot in November.

Brooke's grandmother, Bet tells NBC 7, her granddaughter just bought a dress.

“Brooke used to work in our store for us she is such a charming girl,” Clark’s neighbor Marjorie Logan said.

Clark's neighbors are grief stricken.

“It's just sad. It's one of those horrible things that happen,” Clark’s neighbor Sandie Hamilton said. Hamilton did not know Keating was Clark’s fiancé but she said she knows the Keating family from Arizona.

Charlie Keating IV was tje grandson of the savings-and-loan financier with the same name.

He went to Arcadia High School in Phoenix, Arizona where he was a standout cross country runner.

“Just that he was a happy young man, that he served his country and that they loved him,” his coach at Arcadia High School Rob Reniewicki said.

Keating went on to Indiana University where he was on the track and field team. The school posted a photo and Memoriam on its web site to honor him.

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey recognized Keating’s courage in battle.

He has ordered all state flags be lowered to half-staff Wednesday from sunrise to sunset.

Flags will again be lowered on the day of Keating's funeral.

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