A soldier killed in the Fort Hood shootings was laid to rest Monday in the Bay area.
Family and friends gathered at the Blount & Curry Funeral Home on MacDill Avenue for the service for Army Staff Sgt. Carlos A. Lazaney Rodriguez, 38. Lazaney Rodriguez was buried at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell.
Lazaney Rodriguez was one of three soldiers killed in the April 2 shootings at Fort Hood, a sprawling military post in Killeen, Texas.
Lazaney Rodriguez, originally from Puerto Rico, has many family members in Tampa. They said the career soldier enjoyed cooking and loved sports, including watching the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Miami Heat, and was a fun-loving person.
Honored with more than two dozen commendations during his 19 years in the Army, Lazaney Rodriguez was just months from retirement. He was serving as Unit Supply Non-Commissioned Officer in the Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 21st Combat Support Hospital, 1st Medical Brigade unit.
Known for mentoring young soldiers, Lazaney Rodriguez was experienced in medical work, parachuting and mechanics.
His family and friends gathered at Tampa International Airport Friday night as his body arrived from Texas. Patriot Guard Riders provided an escort to the funeral home.
A private funeral was held Saturday for the other area soldier killed in the attack.
The funeral for Army Sgt. First Class Daniel Ferguson was held at Resurrection Catholic Church in Lakeland. Ferguson, 39, was from Mulberry and engaged to be married.
He served nearly 21 years in the military and was engaged to be married.