Pulse shooting victims were from all walks of life

Last Updated: Saturday, June 18, 2016, 9:43 p.m.

A Universal Orlando employee, a man known for wearing a silly top hat on cruises, a telemarketer, a musician.

As grieving relatives and friends await word on those still missing after the worst mass shooting in U.S. history, the identified victims from the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando are being remembered as caring, warm and proud.

The early Sunday tragedy at the popular gay club claimed the lives of at least 49 people. More than 25 others remain hospitalized.

Some were part of Central Florida's nightlife and theme park crowd. Some were students or professionals. Some had moved to Orlando to make a better life or to help their families. Others were active in the gay community in Central Florida.

As more information becomes available, we will continue to add notes about the victims. If you would like to share photos of the victims so they can appear on this page, you can send pictures through the News 13 app.

Here are the victims:

Edward Sotomayor Jr., 34 Caring, energetic, known for wearing a silly top hat on cruises. Worked for a company that held gay cruises. "He was just always part of the fun."	Stanley Almodovar III, 23 A pharmacy technician. His mother made him a tomato and cheese dip the night of the shooting. He never got to eat it. He loved his family.
Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, 20 A dancer and a barista at a Kissimmee area Starbucks, he was described called a ray of sunshine. "He lit up any area he worked in, especially Starbucks."	Juan Ramon Guerrero, 22 He worked as a telemarketer and recently started attending the University of Central Florida. "He was like a big brother to me," his cousin, Robert Guerrero, said.
Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, 36 He moved to Florida from Puerto Rico for a chance at a better life. He rarely went out, but he was attending a friend's house-warming celebration at Pulse that night.	Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz, 22 His Facebook page said he worked at UPS in Orlando. Known among his friends and family as "Ommy," he was the life of the party. "Such a happy soul," a friend wrote.
Luis S. Vielma, 22 Worked at the Harry Potter ride at Universal and was an EMS student at Seminole State College. "I can't stop crying," Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling tweeted.	Kimberly Morris, 37 A bouncer at Pulse nightclub who always donned a smile. She was a fan of basketball and recently moved from Hawaii to Florida to help her mother and grandmother.
Eddie Jamoldroy Justice, 30 An accountant who lived in downtown Orlando. He texted his mother from the club: "Mommy I love you. ... In the club they shooting." His phone then went silent.	Darryl Roman Burt II, 29 Helping people was Darryl Burt II job. He worked as a financial aid officers at the Jacksonville campus of Keiser University. Friends called said he was easy to love and very personable.
Deonka Deidra Drayton, 32 She was a bartender at Pulse. She was quick to tell someone off if she thought they were in the wrong, but it was her way of showing she cared, an ex-girlfriend said.	Alejandro Barrios Martinez, 21 A Cuba native, Alejandro Barrios Martinez moved Orlando in 2014 to live with his father. According to a source, he loved his family and was a happy, energetic young man.
Anthony L. Laureano Disla, 25 "I want people to remember Anthony as someone who was very happy and very kind," cousin Ana Figueroa said. "This is just devastating for our family and friends."	Jean Carlos Mendez Perez, 35 Co-workers said he was the best salesperson they had ever met. "He laughed with the people and would make jokes," said Claudia Agudelo, who worked with Mendez Perez at Perfumia.
Franky Dejesus Velazquez, 50 Dejesus specialized in traditional dance of his native Puerto Rico. On a list of victims with an average age of 29, Velazquez was the oldest. But it never became a barrier for Velazquez, ex-coworker Bret Werner said.	Amanda Alvear, 25 She was at the club with friends and was on Snapchat when the gunshots erupted at the club. She was studying to become a nurse. Alvear was described by her family as a loving person who simply wanted to help people.
Martin Benitez Torres, 33 From Puerto Rico, he had recently moved to Orlando and was studying to be a pharmacy tech. A professor at Ana G. Méndez University called him “extremely hardworking.”	Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, 37 "He was loved by everyone," his cousin Laly Santiago-Leon said. "He walked into the room and all eyes were on him." His partner, Jean Carlos Mendez Perez, also died.
Mercedez Marisol Flores, 26 A student at Valencia College, she worked at Target and wanted to become a party planner. Her best friend was victim Amanda Alvear.	Xavier E. Serrano Rosado, 35 He went by Eman Valentino on stage. He dressed elegantly in a top hat, tie and gloves, collecting tips between high kicks and spins, according to a YouTube video.
Gilberto R. Silva Menendez, 25 He was "the light and the life of all the family gatherings," cousin Irma Silva-Lauer said. His partner, Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz, also died.	Simon A. Carrillo Fernandez, 31 Simon became a U.S. citizen after moving from Venezuela eight years ago. He lived with his partner, Oscar A. Aracena-Montero, another victim.
Oscar A. Aracena-Montero, 26 He lived with his partner, Simon Adrian Carillo-Fernandez, and three Chihuahuas in a home they bought last year, a friend, Andrea Herrera, told the Orlando Sentinel.	Enrique L. Rios, Jr., 25 Known as an angel to most people. "He was a great person with a heart of gold," Christine Jimenez, a cousin, wrote on Facebook.
Miguel Angel Honorato, 30 A father of three who managed four restaurants in Central Florida along with a side catering business. He was always the one to drop everything to help out his family, which included seven siblings.	Javier Jorge-Reyes, 40 A friend, Edith Colon of Miami, said Jorge-Reyes was a top salesman and makeup artist. Was known as "Javi" by his friends and as "Harvey George-Kings" on Facebook — a literal English translation of his name.
Joel Rayon Paniagua, 32 He moved to Florida from Mexico in search of a better life. "He was the best," said Lorena Barragan. "He was loyal. He was always trying to do stuff to make you feel better."	Jason Benjamin Josaphat, 19 He was studying to be an accountant. "He loved life," friend Judith Reynoso said. "He never believed in sadness because he was always laughing." Loved the gym and photography.
Cory James Connell, 21 He was touted as his family's superhero, his brother, Ryan, wrote in a Facebook post. "I've taught almost 1,700 kids at Lee. He was so special," said Shelley Klein, a science teacher at Lee Middle School.	Juan P. Rivera Velazquez, 37 He worked at Alta Peluqueria D'Magazina salon on Kissimmee with his partner, Luis Daniel Condem, who was also killed in the attack. "They would take the shirt off their back to help others," said Jocelyn De Leon, another client.
Luis Daniel Conde, 39 Ran a beauty salon in Kissimmee with another victim of the shooting at Pulse, Juan Pablo Rivera Velasquez, his longtime partner.	Shane Evan Tomlinson, 33 Lead vocalist for "Frequency Band." His Facebook bio read: "Ordinary guy living an extraordinary life using my God given gift to navigate through this journey."
Juan Chevez-Martinez, 25 He was a beloved boss and friend. Friends said Martinez came from Mexico and worked as a housekeeping supervisor for a hospitality service company.	Jerald Arthur Wright, 31 'We mourn the loss of one of our own Cast Members, Jerry Wright, as well as others within our extended Disney family,' Walt Disney World President George Kalogridis said.
Leroy Valentin Fernandez, 25 He recently had found a job as a leasing agent for an Orlando apartment complex. "He had finally found something he liked. He was taking care of his mom."	Tevin Eugene Crosby, 25 He had a drive for success, which was reflected in his inspirational Facebook posts: "2016 will be the best year ever." He worked for a Michigan marketing firm.
Jonathan A. Camuy Vega, 24 He moved to Florida to work for Telemundo and was a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. "Jonathan will be missed dearly."	Jean C. Nieves Rodriguez, 27 He's remembered by family and friends as a kind man and a hard worker. His sister Valeria Monroig said he "cared more about others than about himself."
Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala, 33 An Orlando OneBlood Center worker since 2011. Coworkers describe him as dedicated to the OneBlood mission, and having a strong compassion for others.	Brenda Lee Marquez McCool, 49 She loved to dance so much, she went to to nightclubs with her 21-year-old son. She was killed; her son survived. She was a two-time cancer survivor who had 11 children.
Yilmary Rodriguez Solivan, 24 She was enjoying a night out with her brother-in-law and a friend, Jonathan Camuy Vega, when gunshots broke out at the nightclub. Camuy Vega also died.	Christopher A. Leinonen, 32 He was at Pulse with his friend Brandon Wolf, who sent a text to Leinonen's mother to say a shooting had occurred and her son was missing.
Angel L. Candelario-Padro, 28 He moved to Orlando from Chicago in January to be closer to family. The nurse and National Guard member soon found a new job and a new love.	Frank Hernandez, 27 He loved fashion and lived for the finest clothing at Calvin Klein or Armani. "He liked the good stuff, and he worked hard for it," said Jessica Leal, 19, one of his five siblings.
Paul Terrell Henry, 41 He was a caring father of two who loved to dance, play piano and sing, according to his friends and his boyfriend. "Such a loving spirit. I'll always have him in my heart."	Antonio Davon Brown, 29 Attended Florida A&M University and studied criminal justice. He was a member of ROTC while in college and was a captain in the U.S. Army.
Christopher J. Sanfeliz, 24 He was "the most positive guy I've ever known," friend Josh Palange said. He took business classes at a community college and was hired as a bank teller.	Akyra Monet Murray, 18 She graduated third in her high school class and had signed to play basketball at Mercyhurst. "She was very loving, caring, out to help anybody," her mom, Natalie Murray, said.
Geraldo A. Ortiz-Jimenez, 25 He was known as 'Drake' to friends. He was originally from the Dominican Republic and was on vacation in Orlando at the time of the massacre.