U.S. Marine from Lynden who died in N. Carolina coming home to Whatcom County

A U.S. Marine corporal from Whatcom County who died Sept. 11 in North Carolina is returning home to Lynden on Friday, Sept. 20.

Kevin Axcel Antonio-Jose, 23, was in the Marines for nearly five years. He reportedly died from a heart attack, according to The Lynden Tribune . His body is being returned home Friday night, according to the Lynden Chamber of Commerce.

Antonio-Jose's flight is landing at SeaTac Airport at 5:10 p.m., and a hearse will take him to Lynden where, it is expected to arrive between 8 to 9 p.m. The hearse is taking Guide Meridian and then East on Front Street, according to a post made by the Gillies Funeral Home on Facebook.

According to various social media posts, the Lynden community and all of Washington, is encouraged to be on Front Street when the procession arrives to wave flags and show their support. There will be a private family visitation at 9 p.m. after the vehicle arrives. There is a public visitation scheduled at the funeral home from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, according to GIllies Funeral Home .

Antonio-Jose was born in Bellingham, and graduated in 2019 from Lynden High School, where he was a heavy-lifting champion and played football and wrestling. He is survived by his father, Paulino Antonio Jose; his mother, Celedonia Jose Santigo; and his brothers, Edgar and Eric Antonio-Jose, according to the funeral home.