Rochester Democrat and Chronicle -- A former Gates man who loved the outdoors and idolized his family was one of two soldiers killed Saturday during fighting in Afghanistan.

Staff Sgt. Nekl B. Allen, 29, was killed in Wardak province, Afghanistan, when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised-explosive device and small arms fire, according to a U.S. Army spokesman at Fort Drum in Jefferson County.

"He always put others before himself," said Allen's sister Rana Allen, 27, of Gates. "He was the most lovable person I know. He was a people person and could always make friends anywhere he went."

Spc. Daniel L. Cox, 23, of Parsons, Kan., was also killed in the attack.

Both infantrymen served with the 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade combat team, which deployed out of Fort Drum in January. Allen, who was also known as Nick or Nicky, was scheduled to return to New York in January, Rana Allen said.

Gov. David Paterson directed that flags on state government buildings be flown at half-staff today in memory of the two men.

"These soldiers gave their lives for all Americans and the defense of liberty and their sacrifice will not be forgotten."

Allen graduated from Churchville-Chili High School in 1999, where he played football and was a wrestler. He worked for several years before joining the Army in May 2002, according to his family. He arrived at Fort Drum in May 2008.

Rana Allen said her brother was on his third deployment when he was killed. He served his first two deployments in Iraq.

During his years in the Army, Allen received more than 30 awards, including the Army Commendation Medal. Rana Allen said it was expected that her brother would be promoted once he returned home in 2010. He had planned to be a career soldier, she said. In his spare time, Allen loved fishing, bow-hunting and paintball.

But above all, he loved spending time with his three children, Christopher, 10, Michael, 7 and Grace, 5.

Although they lived miles apart, Rana Allen said she and her brother had grown quite close as adults and chatted online often.

"I was getting a package ready to send to him, and I am still going to send it, but to his friends instead," she said.

Besides his sister and children, Allen is survived by his wife, Amy Allen, of Carthage, Jefferson County; and his parents, Daniel and Debra Allen of Gates.

Funeral arrangements have not been set.

Family members said they expect to hold services in the Rochester area.

==Another news story==

The Associated Press -- When Nekl Allen was home from the Army, he always found time to interact with his daughter and two sons.

Riding dirt bikes with 10-year-old Christopher. Roughhousing in the living room with 7-year-old Michael. Helping 5-year-old Grace learn to count.

“He was the most lovable person I know,” said his sister, Rana.

Allen, 29, of Rochester, N.Y., died Sept. 12 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, when he and a fellow soldier were attacked with an explosive and small weapons. Both were assigned to Fort Drum, N.Y.

Allen, known also as Nick or Nicky, loved the outdoors. He enjoyed fishing, bow-hunting and playing paintball. He was a 1999 graduate of Churchville-Chili High School, where he was a wrestler and played fullback and linebacker for the football team.

“He showed the signs of courage by taking on big tasks, even when he was young,” said his high school coach, Paul Dick.

Allen joined the Army in May 2002, prompted by the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He was deployed twice to Iraq before being sent to Afghanistan.

“He stepped up to serve his country because he knew it was the right thing to do,” said his father-in-law, Mike Meehan.