LCpl. Luis Jose Castillo

"La Historia de Vida en Español sigue despue`s del Ingle`s abajo"

For his family, friends, teammates, and fellow Marines, Luis Jose Castillo was an icon of courage, determination, and vigor. He was a reliable worker, an excellent Marine and a loving son, brother and uncle. When Luis was with his family, he would tell jokes, tease his family, play the guitar, and enjoyed spending time with his nieces.

In the year 1986, Mexico hosted the thirteenth staging of the FIFA World Cup. Games were held throughout the country, in Guadalajara, Quere`taro, Puebla, Monterrey, León, and Mexico City. The excitement rippled through Nezahualcóyotl, a working class neighborhood on the eastern fringe of the Distrito Federal. But Uvaldo Castillo and his wife Raquel Garcia celebrated for a different reason. They were expecting a child, and on February 22, 1986 they were blessed with the healthy birth of their son Luis.

The third of four children, Luis grew up with the company of his brother Juan and his sisters Pilar and Jazmin. When he was three years old, his family emigrated to the United States and settled in Chicago. His mother, Raquel, wanted to give her children a better life than the one that they had known in Nezahualcóyolt. After six months in Chicago, the family relocated to South Haven, Michigan. Luis enjoyed a pleasant childhood. He spent a lot of time hanging out with his friends, especially his closest buddy Eduardo. He played defense for AYSO Soccer, where he earned a name for himself as a promising young athlete. After finishing the eighth grade, his family moved to Mattawan. Luis attended Mattawan High School. Wrestling at the title weight of 140, he won several medals and trophies for his school. He received many honors, including the title of team captain. At the end of his senior wrestling season, he was named "best athlete" by his coach.

Throughout high school Luis worked at Su Casa, a restaurant owned by his older brother. Despite his work schedule, he remained committed to his academics and athletic training. He was driven by his goals, and in 2004 he graduated with honors from Mattawan High School. When he wasn't working, studying, or wrestling, he enjoyed learning how to play the guitar and dancing to various music.

After his graduation, Luis joined the Marine Corps Reserves, where he was assigned to Charlie Company. He knew that he would be deployed in the near future, and he courageously awaited the opportunity to serve his country. Meanwhile, he worked at Moreland International where he formed many friendships. His boss spoke very highly of him. Luis knew that when he returned to his civilian life, he would have a job waiting for him.

In June of 2006, the Charlie Company was activated. For the rest of the summer, Luis trained at Camp Pendleton and Twenty Nine Palms, located in California. He remained positive and motivated, and continued to practice his faith by attending the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Hartford. In September he was deployed to Iraq as a squad automatic rifleman in the General Infantry. Luis was a poster Marine. He was courageous and energetic, with a commanding presence that you felt as soon as he entered a room.

Nothing was more valuable to Luis than his family. He deeply loved his parents and siblings, and he had a very special relationship with his nieces. They became close during the many evenings that Luis would baby-sit them, and they kept in touch after his deployment to Iraq. Whenever things were tough, Luis could count on his nieces to brighten the day. They mailed drawings and letters, and emailed frequently. He looked forward to returning home and getting to know his new nephew and to be with his girlfriend, Meghan. Luis was more than just an uncle: he was also a role model and an inspiration.

As his mother remembers, "Luis was a good son from the moment he was born." He loved to joke, but he was also very professional. He was outgoing, with a free spirit and a charismatic personality. He loved to say, "What happenin?" Whether he was wrestling, dancing, or playing his guitar, he was always doing something. Luis was full of life, and he made the most out of each moment. Among the many people whose hearts he touched, he will be greatly missed and always remembered.

Lance Corporal Luis Jose Castillo, Charlie Company, First Battalion, Twenty Fourth Marines, Fourth Marine Division, was killed from injuries sustained in combat while serving in the vicinity of Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Luis was born February 22, 1986 in Nezahualcoyolt, Mexico, the son of Uvaldo Castillo and Raquel Garcia. Learn more about Luis, visit with his family and friends Monday from 2:00-8:00 PM at the Life Story Funeral Home - Betzler, Kalamazoo (800) 822-7594. Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated Tuesday 11:00 AM at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, Portage. Interment Maple Grove Cemetery, Mattawan. Following the burial, food and fellowship will be shared at Mattawan High School. Luis was preceded in death by his father in 1992; and a brother, Carlos Martin Suarez in 1970. Members of his family include his mother, Raquel Garcia of Lawton; three siblings: Juan M. (Rosemary) Suarez of Kalamazoo, Pilar E. Castillo (Keith Yarbrough) of Benton Harbor, and Jazmin Garcia of Lawton; six nieces: Adelaida, Dezanita, Deziree and Yesenia Suarez, Tatiana and Kiana Jackson; and nephew, Keandre Yarbrough; many aunts, uncles, cousins and girlfriend, Meghan Sams. Please visit Luis' web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can read his Life Story, archive a favorite memory, upload photos, sign the guest book, or make a memorial contribution to his family C/O his mother, Raquel Garcia.

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Para su familia, amigos, compañeros del equipo, y los compañeros de soldados de marinas, Luis José Castillo era un icono de valor, determinación, y vigor. Luis era un hijo, hermano y tío adorado, un trabajador confiable, y un soldado de marina excelente. Cuando Luis estaba con su familia, le gustaba decir bromas, embromaba a su familia, tocaba la guitarra, y le gustaba pasar su tiempo con sus sobrinas.

En el año mil novecientos ochenta y seis, (1986) México hospedo el decimotercero andamiaje de los Juegos Mundiales de FIFA por todo el país: En Guadalajara, Quere'taro, Puebla, Monterrey, León, y México D.F. La excitación ondulo por Nezahualcoyotl, un vecindario de gente trabajadora, en las orillas orientales del Distrito Federal. Pero Uvaldo Castillo y su esposa Raquel García celebraban por una diferente razón. Esperaban un hijo, y en el 22 de febrero, 1986 fueron bendecidos con un hijo saludable.

Luis era el tercero de cuatro hijos, él creció en compañía de su hermano, Juan y sus hermanas, Pilar y Jazmín. Cuando Luis tenia tres años, su familia se emigró a los estados unidos, y se establecieron en Chicago. Su mama, Raquel quería darles a sus hijos una mejor vida la que habían conocido en Nezahualcoyotl. Después de viviendo seis meses en Chicago, se restablecieron en South Haven, Michigan. Luis tuvo una niñez agradable. El paso mucho tiempo divirtiéndose con sus amigos, especialmente su mejor amigo, Eduardo. Él jugaba defensa en AYSO Soccer, donde logro un nombre por sí mismo como un joven atleta prometiente. Después de que termino grado ocho, su familia se movió a Mattawan. Luis asistió a Mattawan High School. Luis luchaba en el peso titulado de cien cuarenta libras (140), él gano varias medallas y trofeos para su escuela, y recibió muchos honores, incluyendo el titulo de líder del equipo de lucha. Al fin, en terminar su temporada de lucha, en grado doce, su coche de lucha lo nombro "el mejor atleta."

Durante sus años en secundaria, Luis trabajo en Su Casa, un restaurante, propio de su hermano mayor. A pesar de su trabajo en el restaurante, el se mantuvo comprometido a sus estudios y entrenamiento atlético. Él era guiado por sus metas, y en 2004, el grado de Mattawan High School con honores. Cuando no estaba trabajando, estudiando, o luchando, él gozaba de aprender como tocar la guitarra y bailar a varios tipos de música.

Después de su gradación, Luis se escribió con los Marine Corps Reserves, donde fue asignado a Compañía Charlie. El sabia que iba ser desplegado en el futuro cercano, y con animo esperaba la oportunidad de servir su patria. Mientras, él trabajaba en Moreland International donde formo muchas amistades. Su patrón platicaba muy favorablemente de el. Luis sabia que cuando se regresaba a su vida civil, el tenia un trabajo esperándolo.

En Junio de 2006, la Compañía Charlie fue activada, Por el resto del verano, Luis entreno en Camp Pendleton y Twenty Nine Palms, en California. El se mantuvo positivo y motivado, y continuo su practica de su fe, asistiendo a la Iglesia Católica de Inmaculada Concepción en Hartford, En septiembre, el fue desplegado a Irak como un fusilero automático de su escuadra en la Infantería General. Luis era un Marina cartel. Él era valeroso y enérgico, y tenia una presencia imponente que uno sentía tan pronto que uno estaba en su presencia..

Nada era más importante a Luis, que su familia. Él amaba a sus padres y hermanos profundamente, y tenia una relación muy especial con sus sobrinas. Él era muy cuidadoso de ellas, especialmente cuando Luis las cuidaba. Después de que fue desplegado a Irak. Cuando pasaba momentos fuertes, Luis podía contar con sus sobrinas para brillar su día. Le enviaban cartas, dibujos y e-mails frecuentemente. Él dirigía su mirada a regresar a su casa y conocer su nuevo sobrino y estar con su novia, Meghan. Luis era mucho mas que un tío: el tenia el papel de ser un modelo y inspiración.

Su madre recuerda, "Luis era un buen hijo desde el momento que nació.' Le gustaba bromear, pero también era un profesional. Era amistoso, con un espíritu libre y una personalidad carismática. Le gustaba decir que quería lograr lo máximo de cada momento. A toda persona que toco su corazón, él será echado de menos y siempre será recordado.

Luis lo mataron de injurias que sostuvo en combate mientras sirviendo en la vecindad de la Provincia de Al Anbar, Irak. Los arreglos están pendientes. Luis fue precedido en muerte por su padre, Uvaldo Castillo en 1992 y un hermano, Carlos Martín Suarez en 1970. Miembros de su familia incluyen su madre, Raquel García de Lawton; un hermano, Juan M. (Rosemary) Suárez de Kalamazoo; Pilar E. Castillo (Keith Yarbrough) de Benton Harbor; Jazmín García de Lawton; seis sobrinas: Adelaida, Dezanita, Deziree and Yesenia Suárez, Tatiana y Kiana Jackson, y un sobrino Keandre Yarbrough; muchos tíos y tías, primos, y una novia Meghan Sams. Favor de visitar la pagina del web en www.lifestorynet.com donde puede archivar una memoria favorita, poner fotos, firmar el libro de los visitantes, o hacer una contribución memorial a su familia C/O su madre, Raquel García.