Twitchell, 28, was one of six Marines killed Sunday when the truck they were riding in rolled over during a flash flood near Al Asad. He is survived by his wife, Stephanie Twitchell; stepsons Zack, 13, and Zane, 9; and his daughter, 8-month-old Makenzy.

He was deployed to Iraq in February, when his baby was about 6 months old.

“He was an amazing dad and an amazing husband,” said his older sister, Amy Wenschhof of Lacey.

Twitchell was born in Olympia – the fifth of six children in the family – and moved to Yelm in 1990. He joined the Marine Corps just after graduating from Yelm High School. He always considered Yelm his home.

The Twitchell siblings were together for the last time in August when the youngest was married. Katie Bergfeld, 24, of Bellevue, was overjoyed that her brother and his entire family drove more than 20 hours from California to be there on her big day. He was so happy to see her he hugged her five times during the party, she said.

She said he requested a special song, “I Cross My Heart” by George Strait, and danced with his wife and baby.

“He loved those boys like they were his own,” Bergfeld said. “And he was so happy to have a girl.”

Wenschhof said her brother took great pride in serving his country.

“He served with honor and pride in the defense of his country and its values of democracy and freedom,” she said. “He went without hesitation, without complaint.”

He liked to spend his spare time with his family, working on his jeep and playing with his Rottweiler, Ben.

His middle name came from his grandfather, Maurice George Twitchell, a soldier who died in World War II. Maurice also left behind three children, including Abraham’s father, who had not been born yet.

Abraham Twitchell was assigned to the 1st Marine Logistics Group in Twentynine Palms, Calif.

His awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, three Marine Corps Good Conduct Medals, the National Defense Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.