Sgt. Juan Navarro Pantoja

In his short life, Sgt. Juan Navarro accomplished a lot of firsts. After graduating from Lanier High School in 2007, he became the first of 11 brothers and sisters to attend college. Soon after, he became the first in his family to enter the military, joining the Army as wars raged in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"He wasn't afraid," said his brother-in-law Eleazar Dominguez. "He was courageous. He wasn't afraid of gunshots. He wasn't afraid of anything."

On Saturday, Navarro, 23, was killed by an improvised explosive device in Kandahar Province. Navarro, who served with the 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team of the 2nd Infantry Division, was on his second tour in Afghanistan. On Tuesday, his body arrived at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. Funeral arrangements haven't been made yet.

Since learning of his death, friends and family have gathered at Navarro's small family home on Rundberg Lane in North Austin, trading stories around a makeshift altar of flowers, flags, candles and collages of photos tracing a life from smiling toddler to stern-faced soldier.

On Wednesday, they described him as outgoing, gregarious, respectful of his elders.

"He was the type of person that even if he didn't know you he would give you a big smile and a hug," said his older brother, Miguel Pantoja. "I'm proud of everything he did. I'm proud of him because he did what he wanted to do."

Even after he left Texas and moved through the Army ranks, he remained fiercely loyal to his community — his arm featured a tattooed street sign of Rundberg Lane and Interstate 35, which sits half a block from his home.

Navarro was scheduled to leave the Army within a few months, and he planned to resume his college studies. He joined the Army after briefly attending Texas State University, which he left for financial reasons, his brother said.

In one of his final Facebook posts before he was killed, Navarro wrote: "(L)ets hope i can make it to (November) in one piece and then eventually to mar 3 2013 to get out of this army ... college here i come." Family members said Navarro wanted to enter the medical field.

Tacked to his family's living room wall is a message that Navarro sent in the days before he was killed: "Going home means getting comfortable being who you are and who your soul really wants to be. ... God loves me enough to let me go through all the lessons I came here to learn, even the ones that hurt the most."

Navarro's name will be added to the Veterans Memorial at the Travis County Courthouse, where he will join the two dozen local service members who have died in Iraq or Afghanistan.

(taken from Austin American Statesman http://www.statesman.com/news/local/the-first-in-his-family-to-attend-college-2415313.html)

Condolences may be sent to www.cook-waldenfuenralhome.com

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In Honor Of Army SGT. Juan P Navarro ~

SGT. Juan P Navarro, 23, of Austin, died in Afghanistan on July 7 when he was attacked with an enemy improvised explosive device. Navarro was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

According to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Navarro entered the Army in June 2008. His basic training was at Fort Benning in Georgia before he was assigned to Joint Base Lewis-McChord. His training was that of infantryman and warrior leader. His awards included a number of commendation and achievement medals.SGT Navarro was on his second tour of duty in the war zone. His first tour was in Iraq in 2009.

SGT Navarro is survived by his parents, Victor Navarro and Cristina Pantoja, 8 sisters, Maria Cristina Carranco-Pantoja, Maria Consuelo Carranco-Pontoja, Maria de la luz, Mayra Carranco-Pantoja, Carmen Navarro, Beatriz Carranco-Pantoja, Julieta Carranco-Pantoja, Dulce Carranco-Pantoja and 2 brothers Victor Navarro-Pantoja, and Miguel Pantoja, as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family on Tuesday, the 17th of July, 2012, from 5 o’clock until 8 o’clock in the evening at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar Blvd. Austin, Texas.

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, the 18th of July, 2012, at 10 o’clock in the morning at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar Blvd. Austin, Texas. Interment will follow with full Military Honors at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, Killeen, Texas.

"On behalf of the entire Joint Base Lewis-McChord military and civilian community, we extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of SGT. Navarro," according to a statement from the base. (kxan.com)

Condolences may be sent to www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com