A former Sahuaro High School football player turned U.S. Army Special Forces soldier died in combat this week in Afghanistan, his family said.
Todd Harris, 37, was killed during an incident with insurgents while he was on patrol, said Edward Adams, his stepfather.
The U.S. Army notified Harris' family Wednesday, Adams said.
The family expects to learn more about Harris' death within the next few days, he said.
The Department of Defense says 37 Harris died Nov. 3 from wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire.
Harris was assigned to the 10th Mountain Division based at Fort Drum, N.Y.
The Army says Harris deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom with the 1st Brigade Combat Team in March 2010.
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Harris had been in the Army for at least 11 years and was on his fourth combat deployment.
He had been in Afghanistan for eight months, with four more to go, his stepfather said.
"He loved helping people and the Army provided him with the outlet to take it to another level," Adams said.
Harris was a standout football player for Sahuaro in the early 1990s, playing running back and cornerback, according to Star archives.
One of Harris' best friends, Scott Ford, played Pop Warner football with him before the two joined forces in high school, he said.
Ford said he and Harris were part of tight-knit group of friends who stayed in each other's lives over the years.
The two friends also attended Gridley Middle School together.
"We were all one big family," he said. "We always made sure we were in each other's life."
He described Harris as a "great football player and all-around great guy," he said. "If he walked in the room, he drew people. He had that smile, that outlook on life."
Harris' stepfather agreed.
"He always had a smile, He was ready for a party," Adams said. "He just had a great personality and everyone seemed to like him."
Harris, a noncommissioned officer, was devoted to the Army and had wanted to become a recruiter, he said.
"He made rank pretty fast. He was dead set on being in the Special Forces," he said.
Harris had two children: a 7-year-old son and a 15-year-old daughter.
The conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have claimed the lives of 48 service members with ties to Tucson and Southern Arizona.
Contact reporter Jamar Younger at jyounger@azstarnet.com or call 573-4115.
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