His obituary said he died “in defense of those being persecuted for their Christian faith” and that “his heart was for the protection of the innocence of Kurdish women and children.” He is survived by his parents and five siblings.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_ISLAMIC_STATE_AMERICAN_KILLED_FUNERAL?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2015-06-14-21-07-42