Emilio Martinez-Rodriguez

Emilio Jose Martinez-Rodriguez was a husband, a soldier, and a man who cared deeply for family and community. Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, he graduated high school there in 1994 and attended the University of Puerto Rico before answering a call to serve. In 1996 he joined the U.S. Army and served with the 82nd Airborne, a chapter that shaped his sense of discipline and service.

After his military service Emilio made his home in the Tampa area, where he worked in the trucking service industry. He and his wife, Kacee (sometimes shown as Kacee or Kacee Urso in public notices), were active in their church community at Grace Family Church in Lutz; he participated in men's Bible study and helped lead the 180 Youth Group. Those who knew him described a man with an outgoing manner, an easy smile, and a ready kindness — someone who touched people’s lives whether at work, in church, or among friends.

Emilio loved the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and treasured time spent with family and friends. In March 2006 he married Kacee; the couple were expecting a son in mid-2011, and friends and family later described plans to create a trust to support the child. Funeral and remembrance notices from late December 2010 record a celebration of his life held at Grace Family Church, where mourners recalled his humor and warmth.

Public records and memorial pages also show that Emilio was reported missing after leaving home on December 15, 2010; he was later found deceased in Hillsborough County in late December 2010. While those facts are part of the public record, the enduring memory shared by family, church members, and friends focuses on the person he was: a devoted husband, a veteran, a faithful member of his church, and a father in the hearts of those who knew him. His community remembered him for his smile, leadership in youth ministry, and the comfort he brought to others.

Though details in public sources are limited, the records and funeral notices confirm a life of service, faith, and deep connection to family. For those who loved him, Emilio's legacy lives on in the son he was expecting, the friendships he nurtured, and the quiet ways he showed care for others.