LAKE PALESTINE-The Mclean family is mourning the loss of 20-year-old Dex who they say was a loving son, brother, uncle, grandson and friend.

Even in these hard times, the family tells us they want the people of East Texas to remember him for the good person he was.

Not even 24 hours after hearing the news that Dex was gone, the Mclean family has opened their home and their hearts to KETK. And as the investigation continues, the Mclean family remains optimistic that whoever did this will be put behind bars.

Shanda Mclean says she will remember her son Dex for his ability to bring joy into other people's lives.

One of Dex's older brothers, Dustin, says one of his greatest qualities was his willingness to help others without even thinking twice about it.

"We were only a year apart and we've got a lot of brothers, but that was my real brother," Dustin said. "He has great parents and he liked to have fun."

Dex graduated from Winona High School in 2006 and still lived with his parents on Harbor Way. He was the youngest of five boys.

His family says he liked to fish, jet ski and hunt with his dad. They say as much as he loved his family, he loved his friends.

"He had a lot of friends he left behind," Dustin said.

Now his smile is the one thing they say they'll hold on to and it's the one thing they say they'll miss the most.

This murder remains under investigation and police urge for people to contact local authorities if they know anything about this investigation.