NAPLES, Fla -- A Naples family says goodbye to their son, more than a week after he died in Iraq.

Specialist Richard Burress was remembered as many things: a loving husband and father, a good son, dedicated friend, and hero.

Surrounded by American flags, family, friends, and veterans, Specialist Richard Burress was laid to rest Monday.

"He's been such a loving caring person," said Erin Marfongeloa, Burress' mother-in-law.

Burress was killed on January 19th in Iraq.

His family couldn't believe it.

"You never think it's going to happen to your family. You just don't think that. When they came to the door, nobody knew what to do," Marfongeloa said.

Burress joined the army in 2005.

He went to Iraq last year.

Right before he died he was going on a special mission, however he would never complete it.

Two days later, he was killed by a roadside bomb.

His brother-in-law, who also wants to go into the army, says he died a hero.

"He got one of the highest honors you can achieve, he died fighting for what he believed in and he loved what he was doing," said Andrew Percival, Burress' brother-in-law.

In the middle of this tour in Iraq, Burress married Tabitha.

The same day they got married, he adopted her daughter Alissa.

"When they got all done, Alissa said, we're all married together." Margongeloa said.

Wearing his dog tags, Alissa was the first to place a flower on her dad's coffin.

"He was a loving father. A loving husband. He loved his family," Marfongeloa said.

More than 600 people attended Specialist Burress' funeral.

Specialist Richard Burress was buried at the Palm Royale Cemetery in Naples.

His plot is in a memorial field where other local soldiers are buried.