Arnel Clemente Agustin

Arnel Clemente Agustin was born on August 31, 1978 in Batac City, Ilocos Norte. Childhood memories are most important and something that a person could never forget. He was quiet, polite, very kind, and a well-mannered boy. His favorite word was “wa” which meant “yes” as he basically agreed with everyone and never argued against anything. He developed his passion for basketball at a young age and was so dedicated to it to the point where he would spend more time with his friends playing on the court rather than studying. His childhood was simple but he never failed to make those around him smile.

He immigrated to Carson, California on August 1999. He joined US Navy August 2000. His 1st deployment stationed in San Diego Naval Base sea duty USS Dubuque.

He met his wife, Fervirose (Rose), introduced by his cousin from his first vacation in the Philippines on February 2002. He went back to the USA and they continued their communication through letters, emails, calls and video calls. He took his next vacation in the Philippines on December 2003 and proposed January 2004. He came back to the Philippines and they were married on December 23, 2005. His 2nd deployment stationed in Yokosuka, Japan sea duty USS Kitty Hawk on April 2006.

His daughter, Xianthelle, was born on September 7, 2006. He came back to the Philippines December 2006 and was able to sponsor his wife and daughter to stay in Japan with him on January 2007 until May 2008. He went back to San Diego and moved out in the active duty. He continued his service as US Navy Reservist and worked in a company as Warehouse Receiving Associate. His family went back to the Philippines to work for the petition papers. His wife immigrated to the USA on May 2009. His daughter got her citizenship through birth abroad.

Arnel became a SCAN member in the Church of Christ. He was also active in playing basketball. His pastime at home was watching all the sports in the television. He loved listening music although he couldn’t sing. He loved to watched movies with his daughter.

He retired in the Navy on March 2022. He was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer on August 2023. He was a strong man and finished 13 chemotherapies at Long Beach Veterans Hospital. He was supposed to have clinical trial at UCI but his body started to become weak and the cancer had already spread to his liver. His stomach started to filled with fluids and undergo paracentesis and removed 5 to 6 liters every procedure. His Oncologist decided not to continue because of his condition. Palliative Care Doctors and Social worker helped us with the transition to a home hospice to grant his wishes to be with his family. The hospice nurses made sure that he was given the proper medication for his comfort. From his last breath, he passed away with his father that had fallen asleep on the couch besides his bedridden body and with his daughter, sleeping beside him on the bed while holding his hand. He passed away peacefully with so much love from his family and friends.

Arnel lived a fulfilling and active life. He was surrounded with family, relatives, friends from the church, Navy, his basketball leagues, coworkers, and batchmates who lovingly visited and messaged him. He was a humble and a good friend to everyone. He has finished his race as a member of the Church of Christ, so now he is at rest. We will remember him as a man who demonstrated his love through his actions much more than his words---a silent type of guy with a good heart.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot.

Matthew 5:4

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Revelation 21:4

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.