Jose Pasillas - U.S. Military

Sgt. Jose M. Pasillas, age 34, died on January 30, 2014, in Alaska.

Jose was assigned to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson near Anchorage. He served as a construction equipment repairer with the 23rd Engineer Company.

At about 3 p.m., on January 30, 2014, Jose had been involved in a parachute training jump at the Malamute Drop Zone at the Base. After the jump he collapsed twice and was rushed to a medical center in Anchorage. He underwent emergency surgery for a torn aorta. Tragically, Jose died at 8 p.m. that night.

Jose attended Trimble Tech High School in Fort Worth, Texas.  He entered the Army in 2001 and attended basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.

He arrived in Alaska in August of 2012 after being stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri and at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Jose had served 4 combat deployments - one in Afghanistan and three in Iraq. He was scheduled to be deployed again in the Spring of 2014.

Family members said that Jose was happy being in the Army. It was his life and his

Mary, pray for Jose

family are proud of his service. They will forever miss him.

Jose is survived by many loving friends and relatives including his parents, Graciella and Juan Pasillas; his sisters; his wife, Maria Pasillas; and a 5 year old son and 2 year old daughter.

Thank you for serving, Jose.

Pray for all who die by misadventure. They are with us one moment and gone the next.

Pray that Jose is in heaven. Pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen.