Still searching for answers regarding his death, Sgt. Derek Pagan's family and friends paid their respects during a funeral service with full military honors Sunday in Gilbert.

The 29-year-old Kunkletown native and Fort Hood soldier was killed by a hit-and-run driver in the early morning hours of April 26 in Austin, Texas."It's obvious from the memories that have been shared that Derek lived well," said the Rev. Deborah Scheffey, of Salem St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Kresgeville. "Unfortunately though, he only lived 29 years. His sudden death leaves some unanswered questions like who killed him and why did he have to die so young? Hopefully the authorities will find out who killed him, but we'll probably never know why he died so young."Following Sunday's funeral service at the Gower Funeral Home, Pagan's body was escorted for a 3-mile ride past his family's home.Austin police said Pagan was standing or walking along the 2100 block of U.S. Highway 83 when a southbound vehicle struck him.The vehicle didn't stop, however, and only a scattering of car parts was left behind as evidence.Investigators said last week they still had no leads in identifying the driver.A passer-by called police after spotting Pagan's body, but the caller did not witness the fatal hit-and-run.Veronica Corman and her boyfriend, Joe Salazar, were returning from a wedding and also stopped to help direct traffic around Pagan, who would later be pronounced dead at 2:26 a.m. by Austin County Emergency Services.Pagan joined the military in April 2011 as a radio and communications security repairer. It changed his life, according to his mother, Linda."Before he went into the military, Derek's room was a mess," she told Scheffy. "The first time he came home after enlisting, it was immaculate."The void Pagan left won't be an easy one to fill. He was the person who helped his mother quit smoking and encouraged his sister Laura to eat healthier and exercise."He cherished his family and friends," Scheffey said."He helped them cope with the rough times. Linda knows he will continue caring for them as a guardian angel and life coach."Derek also had a keen sense of humor. When he was younger, he had to wear glasses. His grandfather would call him "the little professor," or "the little comedian.""His gift of humor helped him become popular and made him a great friend," Scheffey said.Many of Pagan's comrades in the Army made the trip to Monroe County on Sunday to remember his life."Derek was the type of person who it didn't matter who you were or where you came from, he was always there for you if you needed it," said U.S. Army Spc. Marcos Fernandes, who served with Pagan for four years.Pagan earned the Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and an Air Assault BadgeSince October 2013, Pagan was assigned to the 589th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division.He was a production control clerk with the 602nd Support Maintenance Company.Pagan will be interred next week at the Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville.