Star Telegram -- FORT WORTH -- Joshua Romero’s father is proud of his son’s 2005 graduation picture from Crowley High School.

Most of the time, the younger Romero shied away from the camera’s lens, but this photo was a favor for his father. It’s also the very photo Joe Romero pulled out Saturday to help remember his son -- a 1st Calvary Division soldier from Fort Worth who died in Iraq.

Pfc. Joshua Romero, 19, served in B Company, 1st Battalion, 12th Calvary. The U.S. Army informed his wife and father about his death on Friday, the family said. He would have turned 20 next month.

"He made me proud," said Joe Romero. "I want people to know what he did."

The family is trying to piece together how he died. Preliminary reports indicate he was a victim of a roadside bomb while riding in a Bradley tank, the said. He had been stationed out of Fort Hood.

The last time the family saw Joshua was in April, when he was granted leave to attend a family funeral.

"Josh was brave to go out there," said a younger brother, Anthony Romero, 6.

Joshua Romero enlisted in 2005 shortly after graduating from Crowley High School. He told his father the military would help open doors for his future. Plus, he liked the structure.

"He joined the military because we don’t have a lot of money," said Joe Romero. "College was out of our reach."

When Joe Romero learned his son wanted to join the military, he sat him down and told him: "This is not fun and games. You might not come back."

But Joshua had made up his mind and given his word. He never second guessed his decision to join the military and if he was afraid or scared, he never showed it.

"I was more afraid," Joe Romero said. "I’ve always known there was a chance. You hear about soldiers getting killed everyday."

On Friday, the family was shocked to learn that Joshua was now a casualty of the War in Iraq. Joe Romero allowed himself to be interviewed by the Star-Telegram because he wanted his son remembered in printed words.

Joshua Romero was a typical All American youth. He liked Rock music, including Jimi Hendrix. He was quiet and low-key, but he made time to hang with his pals. He was also close to eight siblings from his blended family.

Joe Romero said Joshua left behind a wife, Michelle, and a 1-year-old son, Joshua David. His survivors also include his step-mother, Shellie Romero, and his biological mother, Kimberlee Cummings.

Joshua Romero attended Worth Heights Elementary, Rosemont Middle School and Trimble Tech High School before graduating from Crowley High School. He tried playing football while at Rosemont, but discovered he’s a better fan than a player, said his father.

"He loved football. He liked to watch basketball," said Joe Romero, adding after a pause: "That’s Joshua in a nutshell."