NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas – Lance Cpl. John Felix Farias had dreams of going to college and becoming a firefighter after serving in the Marines. He was killed a month before his 21st birthday in 2011 while serving in Afghanistan.
"He was doing what he liked. He wanted to be a Marine ever since he was a little boy," said Felix Farias, John's father.
Soon after his death, his parents started the John Farias Memorial Scholarship fund so students at his alma mater, New Braunfels Canyon High School, could fulfill the dream he was never able to do.
"We did it in his honor, to keep his memory alive at school," Felix Farias said.
John Farias' number 33 football jersey hangs in the Cougar Den at the school. His parents said he loved football, power-lifting and helping others. His mother, Penny Farias, said her son would love what has been done in his memory.
"Oh, yeah. He was very big-hearted," she said.
So far, the Farias family has awarded 11 $1,000 scholarships.
One of the first recipients was Teegan Luckemeyer, who was three years younger than John Farias at Canyon High School.
"(I'm) very honored to have something with his name attached to it. Like I said, he is a true hero," Luckemeyer said. "Every time I see the flag, I think of John."
Luckemeyer is on her way to graduating from Our Lady Of The Lake University with a double major in biology and kinesiology before heading off to medical school. She carries a 3.85 GPA and plays on the school's soccer team.
She has played the second-most games in school history at 76. She's scored 28 goals on 106 shots on goal. Even more impressive, she is a three-time Red River Athletic Conference All-Tournament team member and a three-time Conference Scholar Athlete. She attributes a lot of her success to help she has received along the way, including the John Farias Memorial Scholarship.
"The scholarship gave me the opportunity to go to school and pursue my career goals," Luckemeyer said.
Being a doctor and helping wounded warriors is her main goal.
The Farias family has heard from other students who have been awarded the scholarship. One recipient said she wants to meet the family, learn more about John Farias and spend time laying a wreath at the site where he is buried at Fort Sam Houston.
"That's what it is all about," Penny Farias said.
The family is hosting a golf tournament April 23 to raise more money for the fund. Their hope is to award four-year scholarships and also include students from New Braunfels High School.