In Memoriam

Slain Marine Loved Angels Nearly As Much As Wife

(AP) LOS ANGELES So big a fan of the Los Angeles Angels was Jason W. Morrow that he proposed to his girlfriend, Evelyn Flores, in front of fans and players on the field of Angel Stadium before a game in March 2005.

The couple married July 5. He later threw the first pitch during a playoff game at the stadium. His wife tries not to linger over the sadness of his death.

"I think of how grateful I am I had him," she said.

Morrow, 27, of Riverside, Calif., died June 27 in combat in Anbar province. The 1998 high school graduate was assigned to Camp Pendleton and was on his third tour.

While Morrow loved sports, such as baseball, golf and surfing, he was also a great storyteller. He acted out his war stories with his classic facial expressions and variety of voices, friends and family said. He joined the Marine Corps on Dec. 9, 2002.

Morrow was the type of guy you couldn't stay mad at for long. "He can just make you happy with just one look," Flores said. When he knew he was in trouble, he'd roll his eyes back playfully, nod his head and flash a smile.

"Baby, you know you love me," he'd say.