Family, friends recall Pfc. Robert J. Near -- 'He was always happy'

SUNNYSIDE, Wash. -- Vera Near remembered her grandson Monday the same way his Army commanders did: happy.

Whether climbing trees as a boy or trouble-shooting military computers, he lived with a smile on his face and an energy drink in his hand.

"You couldn't make him mad," said Near, 72, as family, friends and fellow service members said their final goodbyes Monday to Pfc. Robert J. Near.

The 21-year-old, who grew up on a cherry orchard in Granger, died Jan. 7 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, though the cause of his death remains a mystery. Military officials have told the family only that Near's death is still under investigation.

"That's the blank for the family," said his uncle, Terry Near.

Terry Near said the family wants to know but put the concern aside Monday to remember his nephew's well-known sense of humor.

"He was always kind of showing off a little bit," said Amber Mackie, a 15-year-old cousin who grew up jumping on trampolines, swimming and walking fence lines with Near. "He was always happy."

More than 200 well-wishers attended the funeral at Smith Funeral Home, followed by a military burial at Lower Valley Memorial Gardens and a wake at the Toppenish Eagles Club.

Everywhere, people spoke about Near's skills as a computer technician, his curiosity, his penchant for chess and mostly his positive attitude.

"He had fun all the way to the very end," said Dale Near, Robert's father.

Led by the Rev. Nick Paulakis, a pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Sunnyside, the service included a medals presentation, a slideshow of childhood photos and an Elvis Presley rendition of "How Great Thou Art."

Mike Gregoire, Gov. Chris Gregoire's husband, attended and made a brief statement.

"May you find solace in the embrace of loved ones," he said.

Fellow service members, including officers, knew Near as a happy colleague who loved a challenge, according to statements read by Paulakis.

"He exuded a confidence and pride which I found very comforting as a commander," he quoted from an officer identified as Capt. Lawson.

Army commanders from Fort Huachuca, Ariz., where Near was assigned to the 86th Signal Battalion, presented his family with the Army Commendation Medal, the NATO Medal and the Gold Order of Mercury.

At the burial, Paulakis read Psalm 23 and the Washington National Guard gave a 21-gun salute and played taps. Family and friends huddled from the wind and laid roses on his casket.

Later, Near's family and friends gathered at the Toppenish Eagles Club for sandwiches and desserts.

Near grew up in tight-knit extended family, including many who live in a few houses on the same Cherry Hill parcel as Vera Near.

Near grew up with his grandmother. He helped her pull weeds in the yard, and she spent hours playing video games with him.

"Never in his life did he sass me," Vera Near said.

She added her grandson was due for a visit this month and expected to finish his tour in April.

Near was born in Woodland, Calif., but at age 2, he and his father moved in with his grandmother. He graduated from Granger High School in 2007.

In 2008, Near moved to Nampa, Idaho, where he studied computer programming and repair at the Centennial Job Corps. He enlisted in March 2009 and was deployed to Afghanistan in April 2010.

Survivors include his father; a brother, Kyle Scott of California; and three sisters, Jennifer Amen, Teddy Scott and Arial Scott, all of California.

Near is the 13th soldier or Marine with ties to the Yakima Valley or Goldendale area to die in the wars in Afghanistan or Iraq.

Family and friends said they were overwhelmed by the weekend's show of support: flags waving from freeway overpasses, Patriot Rider motorcycle riders escorting his coffin from the airport in the pouring rain and strangers waving from street corners.

"You couldn't ask for a bigger sign of respect," Terry Near said.

* Ross Courtney can be reached at 509-930-8798 or rcourtney@yakimaherald.com.