CPL Stephan B. Ayala

November 4, 1978 - September 21, 2004
US Marine Corps

I had the honor of painting Stephen, and giving the portrait to his family as a source of peace and comfort.

The following bio was written by Stephan’s wife, Penny.

“Cpl Stephan Benjamin Ayala was born on November 4, 1978 in Baytown, Texas. As a child he was shy and adventurous. He grew up and graduated from Fairfield, Texas. He joined the Marines in June of 1999. He was then stationed at Camp LeJeune, North Carolina, and met his wife, Penny. They married on April 13, 200l, and welcomed their first of two sons on July 4th of the same year. Three years later on July 10, 2004 their second son was born. Stephan’s smile was infectious, and his eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. He had an inner light that always shined through, and he passed that along to his sons.”

Penny went on to say, “I cannot thank you enough, Charlotte, for capturing his loving and often child-like gleam!”

Portrait sponsored by:
Mr. & Mrs. Lee Wiskow, Rochester, Minnesota