James R. Tijerina killed in helicopter crash

The ongoing war in Iraq claimed the life of a sixth native of Katy last Saturday when United States Marine James Rodney (J.R) Tijerina was killed in action.

The 27-year-old Tijerina grew up in Katy and graduated from Katy High School in 1998. He was a member of Katy's 1997 state championship football team, playing tight end.

He attended Epiphany Catholic Church and was confirmed by Father Jack M. Dinkins, who will be conducting Tijerina's funeral next week.

According to his cousin Kathryn Tijerina, James Tijerina enlisted in the Marines in 2002 and when his term ended, he re-enlisted, telling family he did so to better serve his country.

According to Kathryn Tijerina, he was planning on coming home this summer to marry his fiance', with plans of moving to Hawaii after his second term ended.

From the Katy Times