COPPERAS COVE, Texas — One Central Texas family has turned its tragedy into an opportunity for young adults pursuing their dreams of becoming firefighters.

Maria Negrete has photos of her son, Jose Negrete throughout her home. A military child, Jose Negrete first moved to the city of Copperas Cove when he was just three years old.  

“He was very caring, compassionate,” Maria said. “Jose wanted to be a firefighter. That was his dream since I can recall. It takes pride to look at these pictures. That's all I have left."

The family worked hard to make his dream come true. One of its biggest hurdles was paying for the fire academy.

"Now it roughly is about $4,000 to $5,000 to get you through school,” Maria explained. “That meant that, hey, we had to take loans out. We had to put it in credit cards or he (Jose) also had to do (a) part-time job."

Following a battle with cancer, Jose Negrete passed away last year.  

"When he (Jose) was going through the process of feeling sick, he was sometimes sicker than his own patients that he was helping with and taking them to the hospital,” Maria said.  

Carrying on Jose's compassionate spirit, the Negrete family searched for a way to ensure his legacy would live on.

They created the Negrete Firefighter Foundation INC to provide scholarships to young adults pursuing their dreams of becoming firefighters.

“They don't have to put a financial burden on their family or on themselves,” Maria added.

Maria Negrete recently stopped by the Copperas Cove Fire Department to reflect on her son's career.

"Walking around the fire station today is kind of emotional,” Maria said.

When Jose Negrete joined the fire department, Carlos Mariduena was a senior firefighter.

"One of the best things I always like to say is that he cooked for me more than my wife ever did which is one of the funny things that you serve in the fire department is the brotherhood that you gain,” Mariduena said.

He says a foundation like the Negrete's could make a difference for someone who needs help.

"One of the beneficial aspects about a foundation, of you being sponsored through the academy, is that you don't have to worry or work another job because that is extremely hard going through the academy and working at the same time,” Mariduena said.

Through the foundation, Maria Negrete is working to assist others and make sure Jose's sacrifices are never forgotten. 

“It’s going to financially lift them so that all they have to do is to concentrate on their studies,” Maria added.

A celebration of life, fundraiser and foundation kickoff will take place August 21, from 6-11 p.m. at Camp Caylor in Copperas Cove in Jose’s honor.

For more information about the foundation, you can reach the Negrete family by email by clicking here.