I want to share with you all the experiences, memories that Ryan and I shared and what he meant to me.

I first met Ryan when he got a chance to come out and see the USC game when we played Cal. I remember this small fragile little boy come into our QB meeting with the biggest smile on his face and that’s where our connection began. He was so shy at first then he loosened up as he spent the day with us. My fondest memory of that weekend came when Coach Carroll put Ryan up on his shoulders in a team meeting as we sang our fight song. I remember looking around the room and seeing tears falling from everyone’s faces. What an impact he made on not just me but everyone on that football team. We ended up winning and Ryan became our good luck charm.

Over the next year or two our relationship grew and our friendship grew. After I was drafted by Arizona I wanted Ryan to be able to come out to AZ, so once a year over the next 3 years he and his dad would come out for the weekend. I really don’t think he or his dad knew just how much I looked forward to that weekend every year. We shared so many memories on those weekends from playing golf, watching our Trojans dominate going shopping for his Christmas presents and playing video games. We would play Halo when he wasn’t out in Arizona on-line and talk crap to the other guys. I could go on and on about my time with Ryan but I want to talk a little about what he meant to me.

The thing about Ryan was that he was always more concerned about everyone else while he was battling for his life. He never once complained and was always happy. During my rookie year he came out for the Monday night game against Chicago, it was only my second start and we lost in a thriller. When I walked out to see him after the game I was upset but you know in the NFL you are not going to win them all. I walked up to Ryan and he had tears in his eyes, he was just so upset that we lost. That was just the type of person he was.

He has taught me so many things. He taught me to never give up and to always keep fighting, no matter what challenges life throws at you. He has also taught me to be a better person and more importantly to be a better father to my son Cole.

There is a dog tag he made for me with a picture of us that hangs from my mirror in my car so I see him every day. He inspires me every day as I know he does so to so many other people.

Ryan touched so many lives. He was the bravest, most courageous person I have ever met. He will be missed so much by so many people but I think we all have to remember just how much happiness he brought to us.

Finally, Ryan, I feel so blessed that I got a chance to talk to you the night before you passed and I know that you are no longer with us but I know that you will always be watching us. I couldn’t ask for a better guardian angel. You were my friend; you will always be my friend. I love you!!

Matt Leinart

Jacob E. Starr of Peoria, AZ left us for paradise February 10 in his home by the water. He was the youngest of four born to Jessie and Ethel Starr in Conroe, Texas, 6/16/1944. The Starrs moved to the Buckeye area when he was an infant. Times were tough and from a young age he worked alongside his migrant working family traveling from Texas west and north to Washington State as crops were ripe and work could be had. His dad passed away when he was 8 years old. His courage, generosity, and rare determination took root and grew in the cotton fields, classrooms, and football fields of the West Valley.

He married Marilyn Ann Webb of Buckeye, July 24, 1964 and together they brought up three daughters who gave them 7 grandchildren.

He entered the US Army as a private and courageously served two tours in Vietnam, first as an infantryman, then as a helicopter pilot. After 25 years of distinguished service, he “retired” as a Lieutenant Colonel. With relentless determination and not enough capital, he and Marilyn built Glendale Aviation into a successful business.

He was a talented man who lived an adventurous life of: fighting wars, flying the skies, sailing by the stars, raising girls, surprising entrepreneurship, scuba diving… and loving others with courage, unflinching determination, and generosity known not only in the valley but the world even unto total strangers and testy pound dogs.

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