Yolo County CA Obituary Project Obituaries.....ARROYAVE , Jimmy Javier  April 15 2004
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Peggy B. Perazzo pbperazzo@comcast.net May 31, 2004, 2:36 pm

Woodland "Daily Democrat," Tuesday, April 27, 2004
Staff Sgt. Jimmy Javier Arroyave

USMC Staff Sgt. Jimmy Javier Arroyave lost his life Thursday, April 15, 2004,
while proudly serving his country on his second deployment in support of
Operation Iraqi Freedom. His death was the result of a non-combat vehicle
accident that occurred at 12:57 p.m. northeast of Ar Ramadi, Iraq. He was
serving with the Combat Service Support Battalion 1, 1st Marine Expeditionary
Force, which is stationed out of Camp Pendleton.

Born Dec. 12, 1973 in Cali, Colombia, he was 30 years old. Jimmy moved to
Woodland at an early age, and attended local schools, graduating from high
school in 1992. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1993 and had planned on
making the military his career. He was proud to be a Marine and loved the
military life. In addition to this deployment to Iraq, Jimmy served in Kuwait
from October 2002 until June 2003, and in Japan for 12 months in 1999. Jimmy was
the recipient of the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Good Conduct
Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and
the Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Ribbon.

Jimmy had several passions in life, first and foremost his loving family. He was
a devoted son, husband, and father. He is survived by his wife Rachelle, who is
three months pregnant, and daughters Vanessa and Natalia, all of Oceanside, and
daughter Catie of Dixon. He also leaves behind his mother, Carmenza Brennan of
Woodland, his father, Javier Arroyave of New York, and his great uncle,
Guillermo Rodriguez of Florida. In addition, he is survived by his father-in-law
and mother-in-law, Ranse and Joyce Reynolds of Woodland, and numerous aunts,
uncles, and cousins. Jimmy made a point to call his mother from Iraq over the
Easter Holiday. And, in addition to frequent e-mails to his wife, three days
prior to his death, he wrote a letter to his wife and daughters in Oceanside.
The letter arrived on April 19th and is a poignant and cherished reminder of his
love for them.

Jimmy was an avid supporter of the National Parks, planning vacation
destinations based on the proximity of national parks. He carried his National
Parks Passport book with him on all their family trips. A 10-day trip to visit
the National Parks on the Big Island of Hawaii in May of this year was postponed
when Jimmy was notified of his second deployment to Iraq. Jimmy was so proud
when Vanessa was selected to be a participant in the pilot Junior Ranger program
at the Channel Islands National Park, near Ventura. The entire family spent a
weekend there touring the park, going by boat to the Islands, and taking part in
the development of the learning program for young park enthusiasts. This last
family trip took place two weeks before Jimmy left for Iraq.

Jimmy was a believer in physical fitness and rarely missed a workout. He was a
huge fan of the Sacramento Kings, following their seasons since they first
arrived in the Capitol City area. Jimmy was also a devoted fan of Colombian
soccer. Deportivo Cali was his favorite team.

The family requests that memorial contributions be directed to The Jimmy
Arroyave Memorial Fund, c/o River City Bank, 199 Main St., Woodland, 95695; or
to the National Parks Fund, by directing a contribution to The Jimmy Arroyave
Memorial Fund of the Marin Community Foundation, 5 Hamilton Landing, Suite 200,
Novato, 94949.

A private visitation will take place on Wednesday, April 28, from 6 to 8 p.m. at
McNary's Funeral Home. Graveside services will include a full military burial at
the Winters Cemetery on Thursday, April 29, at 10 a.m. Following the services,
family and friends are invited to a celebration of Jimmy's life at the home of
Ranse and Joyce Reynolds. McNary's is in charge of the arrangements.


Additional Comments:
Submitted with the permission of the "The Daily Democrat," 711 Main St.,
Woodland, CA 95695.  

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