VINITA -- Marine Sgt. Justin Noyes, described as a robust young man who was fiercely dedicated to the service of the nation, was killed in Iraq, his family said Monday.

Noyes, a demolitions expert who would have turned 24 on Aug. 8, died Sunday while trying to disarm a bomb at Fallujah. The family was notified of his death Sunday night.

"He was my rock whenever I was down," said his mother, Stacey Noyes. "He'd always have me laughing at the end of a bad day.

"He was that kind of person. He grew up happy-go-lucky, a class clown who always found a way to make someone laugh," his anguished mother said.

"He was very caring and loving."

Stacey Noyes said the last time she talked to her son was about 2 ¹/2 weeks ago. "He sounded so good, it made my whole world that day," she said. "He said he would be home in September."

Noyes played football and baseball in high school, his mother said, and described him as being highly dedicated to anything he undertook.

Because of the Fourth of July holiday, Mark Noyes, Justin Noyes' father, said Monday that his family will probably still go to his niece's house like they do almost every year.

"I believe that's what he'd want us to do," he said.

Mark Noyes said that idea came from Rachel Noyes, 15, Justin Noyes' youngest sister.

"That's what