Marine Staff Sgt. Jimmy J. Arroyave

Died April 15, 2004 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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30, of Woodland, Calif.; assigned to Combat Service Support Battalion 1, Combat Service Support Group 11, 1st Force Service Support Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; died April 15 in a non-combat-related vehicle accident northeast of Ramadi, Iraq.

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Staff Sgt. Jimmy J. Arroyave loved his family, national parks and the Sacramento Kings. Arroyave, 30, who grew up in Woodland, Calif., visited the Channel Islands with his family before his deployment to Iraq in March, and was eager to visit other parks in Arizona and New Mexico when he came home. He often e-mailed his wife, Rachelle, reminding her of his love for her and his family, though he would also sneak in some questions about his favorite basketball team. "I would try to go on the Sacramento Kings Web site and update him," she said. Arroyave, who served two missions in Iraq and had served in the Marines since 1993, died April 15 in a non-combat vehicle accident near Ramadi. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton, Calif. "I know in my heart he died doing what he loved to do," said his wife, who was pregnant when he died. "He was proud to be a Marine, and he loved the military." He is also survived by three daughters, ages 11, 6 and 2.

— Associated Press