Sgt. Gabriel De Roo, 25, fell by enemy fire, Aug. 20, 2006, in Mosul, Iraq. A loving husband, father, son, and noble hero, now stands with his Savior in heaven. Gabriel was born April 1, 1981, to David and Laura De Roo, and he grew up in Paw Paw, Michigan. As a teenager he entrusted his life to Christ, a decision that shaped the rest of his life.

After attending college, he enlisted in the Army and joined the Stryker Brigade stationed at Ft. Lewis, WA. He desired to serve his God and his country, and he impacted everyone around him by his integrity, work ethic, and gentleness. Before his first year-long tour in Iraq he fell in love with Hannah Suko, and they were married Dec. 31, 2004, after his return home. A year later their lives were blessed with a baby boy, Gabriel II.

In late June 2006 he left for Iraq to serve his second tour with the Stryker Brigade. On August 20, 2006, he was killed in action by small arms fire. He had said that if anyone died, he wanted it to me him so that his buddies would have time to get right with the Lord. “Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13 He will be dearly missed by those he leaves behind: his wife and baby, his parents, sisters (Angel, Chastity, Charity, and Patience), father-in-law and mother-in-law, Mark and Nancy Suko, of Gig Harbor, and many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews.

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