A Houston-area Marine killed in Iraq last week was remembered by family and friends Wednesday.

A memorial service was held in Pasadena for 21-year old Leroy Sandoval. He was killed after just three weeks in Iraq.

As a Marine, Leroy Sandoval stood tall and proud. On Wednesday so did his family as they remembered his life. "The Marine Corp made him an awesome, awesome man," said Sandoval's cousin, Bryan Escobedo.

Loved ones gathered at Harvest Christian Academy, the school Sandoval attended since he was three years old. He graduated from high school there and was known as little Leroy who loved to laugh. "I guess you could say he was always our class clown," said one of Sandoval's classmates. "He could always make someone in the class laugh and every now and then he would get a smirk out of the teachers."

Sandoval enlisted last year, vowing to serve his country. He died doing just that.

Sandoval had only been in Iraq for about three weeks before his death. A death his mother believes he knew was coming. "He told me, 'Mom, I want you to pray for me,'" said Zaida Walters. "And this is what he wanted me to pray for, 'Even if I'm going to be in a wheelchair, I don't want to come home. If I'm going to lose and arm, I don't want to come.'"

His life was cut short at age 21. And as his friends and family say goodbye, they say they'll never completely let go.

Sandoval's remains are expected to arrive in Houston Wednesday. Funeral services for the Marine will be Saturday at 10 a.m. at Sagemont Church in Houston.