SAN ANTONIO -- A San Antonio family is mourning Matthew Mendoza, 24, a Marine who was killed Thursday in Afghanistan.

Mendoza was killed in action, officials said, but the exact cause of death is not known.

Mendoza's family said Saturday that it is not trying to think about his death but instead about the life he lived.

"Matthew was a good man," Mendoza's uncle, Richard Mendoza, said. "You knew it was him when he came in the room."

Outside VFW Post 76, a Marine flag is at half-staff in memory of Matthew Mendoza.

Matthew was not only a member there, but he had roamed the halls since he was a child.

"He loved it here -- grew up here," Richard Mendoza said. "I would think that's probably the reason he joined he was a good person and he cared."

The fallen Marine was a third-generation military man and followed the footsteps of his great-grandfather, grandfather and uncle.

Mendoza's uncle said the Highlands High School graduate played football, enjoyed swims in the Comal River and loved his family and his country.

"He was a good kid. He was an honest kid. He was patriotic," Richard Mendoza said.

Richard said he will share the story of his nephew's life with anyone who will listen.

"All I can tell you is come down, and I'll tell you all about him," Richard said.

Matthew leaves behind a wife and a 6-year-old son.

He had served two tours in Iraq and was supposed to return from Afghanistan in the fall.

Matthew was going to re-enlist next month, his family said.