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Joseph Alaniz said everyone who knows his son knows that he was a fun guy to be with.

His most precious memories of his son, U.S. Army Reserves Spc. Joseph Alaniz Jr. are the many times they spent together playing ball and fishing.

Joseph's mother Anna Ramirez remembers the time she visited her son in South Carolina for his graduation from the Army Reserver's boot camp.

But for the grieving parents, these happy memories have turned to tears as they deal with the thoughts of losing their only son.

The army reservist old died on Sunday when his vehicle rolled over.

The Texas department of Public Safety said the 23-year-old was driving south on Texas 345, near Castillo Road when he overcorrected, skid sideways and rolled over.

Ramirez said her son may have fallen asleep at the wheel.

"He was out with his friends and was going home,” Ramirez said. “So it happened just a few feet away from going home. Still at this moment I feel like it 's a dream. I don't believe it - I feel like any minute he's going to walk in."

Alaniz Sr. said overcoming the death of his son will be a daily battle.

“He was a great guy, great son - always happy - just happy,” Alaniz said. “t's just sad that this happened."

Ramirez and Alaniz said their son was set on enlisting in the Army Reserve and there was no stopping him despite their fears.

When her son returned from war, Ramirez said she was relieved he was out of harms way. Now his death is a tragic irony.

"He was in Iraq (in) 2009 till this year of August  - and that's a whole year he's on a base,” Ramirez said. “You're in a dangerous zone and you think about him every day and yet he came home. He was fine. But, like I said, he loved it - and now he's back here, having fun, relaxing with his friends, doing what he loves and this happens."

Visitation for Joseph continues Wednesday at San Benito Funeral Home.

A Mass will be held December 23 at Francis Xavier Catholic Church at 10 a.m. in La Feria, followed by burial at Heavenly Grace Cemetery in La Feria.