Jose Lanzarin by roadside bomb

A soldier with Lubbock ties has been killed in Iraq.

The Department of Defense made that announcement Thursday. Staff Sergeant Jose Lanzarin was killed in Ar Ramadi, Iraq on Tuesday when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle during combat. Lanzarin was 28-years-old.

Thursday, Lanzarin's aunt told NewsChannel 11 her nephew always wanted to help others.

"He always had that dream of going to fly helicopters, he would say, to save lives, he would say," said Silvia Lanzarin.

She say her nephew Jose was born in Del Rio, but moved to Lubbock to attend elementary and junior high school. Silvia says Jose finished high school in Abilene, and then joined the armed services.

"We were proud of him. We were very proud. He was just concerned about the main people who were suffering, like for example, in Iraq. He was always compelled with the children basically. We suffer, he would say, and they suffer too. Not everybody's bad," said Silvia.

Silvia tell us Jose met his wife in Germany. She says the couple did not have any children because Jose wanted to wait until after his service was complete.

"The saddest part here is that he only had two months, so he could finish with his contract, he was done with his duties, and he had a lot of dreams, a lot of things to do. He goes, hang on, it's only two more months. It's going to be okay. I'll be home for good," said Silvia.

"I thank every single one in Lubbock for your prayers. May god bless every single one that has their loved ones where ever there's a war going on," added Silvia.

Jose Lanzarin was with the 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Division out of Baumhold Germany. The family is still finalizing arrangements for his burial.

From KCBD 11