14WFIE -- A Reitz High School graduate has been killed by a bomb in Iraq.

Private First Class Darren DeBlanc and another soldier died Friday when a bomb exploded while they were on patrol in Baghdad. DeBlanc graduated from Reitz in 2003 and then joined the Army.

Members of DeBlanc's family talked Monday about their loss. Mom Judy DeBlanc says, "He was a good kid, Never would harm anybody, and he was only 20 years old. He had life ahead of him, and he would have made a good life for himself."

But Judy DeBlanc's 20-year-old son's life ended in Baghdad Iraq. Judy says, "You never want to look down and see your kid on that list. But he's there, he died April 29th."

The family confirmed Monday from the military that it was Darren who died with one other soldier. Judy says, "Last phone conversation we had, I told him to come home and take care of mom. And he said OK. So he thought he was going to make it out. He only had two more weeks."

And Judy knew Darren was counting the days. A purple heart recipient, Darren wanted to make his way out of danger and back to his life plans. Judy says, "He knew I didn't have money to put him through college, so he joined so he could go to college and go to USI."

With plans to join the police force with his brother Michael. "He was my brother. He was my best friend. We quickly learned we depended on each other. And it was the same when we were older."

As the memories begin to surface, the reality is only beginning to set in Judy says, "At night we sit next to the phone and still think he's going to call."

The family is still waiting to plan visitation and funeral arrangements.