Sgt. De Leon of Rohnert Park, Calif., was a Casa Grande High School graduate and known to many by his middle name, Kawika. He joined the Army right after high school and served four years. He left the service when his father died. Later he decided to rejoin knowing he wanted military life. And he would have the benefits and financial stability. When he re-joined he went to the Air Force military reserve, later switching back to the Army. He was two months away from being back on the West Coast with his family. He was a warm, playful person who kept current with changes in popular music and always had some tunes on. Mario loved the old "Star Wars" movies, fast cars, hip-hop music, shooting pool and hanging out with his pals in Rohnert Park. He always made everybody smile. He would pinch cheeks, give them a high five, always putting nicknames on people. When his Army service was over in 2010 he wanted to become a Sonoma County firefighter. He is survived by his wife, Erika, and his son. He was 26.
Army
1st Battalion
18th Infantry Regiment
2nd Brigade Combat Team
1st Infantry Division
Schweinfurt, Germany
Army
1st Battalion
18th Infantry Regiment
2nd Brigade Combat Team
1st Infantry Division
Schweinfurt, Germany
Sgt. De Leon of Rohnert Park, Calif., was a Casa Grande High School graduate and known to many by his middle name, Kawika. He joined the Army right after high school and served four years. He left the service when his father died. Later he decided to rejoin knowing he wanted military life. And he would have the benefits and financial stability. When he re-joined he went to the Air Force military reserve, later switching back to the Army. He was two months away from being back on the West Coast with his family. He was a warm, playful person who kept current with changes in popular music and always had some tunes on. Mario loved the old "Star Wars" movies, fast cars, hip-hop music, shooting pool and hanging out with his pals in Rohnert Park. He always made everybody smile. He would pinch cheeks, give them a high five, always putting nicknames on people. When his Army service was over in 2010 he wanted to become a Sonoma County firefighter. He is survived by his wife, Erika, and his son. He was 26.
Army
1st Battalion
18th Infantry Regiment
2nd Brigade Combat Team
1st Infantry Division
Schweinfurt, Germany
Army
1st Battalion
18th Infantry Regiment
2nd Brigade Combat Team
1st Infantry Division
Schweinfurt, Germany
