I was lucky enough to know Josh from the time we where 10 years old.  We met in Glenwood Springs one summer and got to talking and learned that the next year we were going to be on the same football team and we were going to the same elementary school.  From that time on we were inseperable.  I never played another football game until he passed that Josh didnt run onto the field with me.  He was my best friend but he took care of me like a big brother.  Even though I was the smallest kid in all of our schools, until our sophomore year of high school, no one ever messed with me because Josh wouldn't allow it.  We would play tackle football one on one in front of his house in Sequoia, he would smear me every play.  He love Oklahoma Football more than anything in the world.  He loved making people laugh and feel good.  We experienced all of our adolesence and on to college side by side.  Something reminds me about Josh everday and all I can do is smile because they are all happy memories.  I am lucky to now have a son named Josh that can share the name of one of the most wonderful people I have ever met.  Love you and miss you Josh.

I met Josh my freshman year of high school and from the day we met he had me cracking up.  While most people know that I laugh at almost everything, Josh was no exception.  Whether it was singing Karma Chameleon by Culture Club (the same verse over and over!) or him and Chris Reese wearing Stacey's shorts on their head dancing to No Doubt's I'm Just a Girl, or covering my yard (front and back) in toilet paper during the TP Wars, Josh knew how to bring a smile to my face.  I had never (and still have never) seen the movie Tommy Boy and so one high school night when we were all at Laura's house, he put on one of Julie's coats, zipped it up and walked around saying fat guy in a little coat! I thought it was the funniest thing ever and had no clue it was from a movie.  Or the time he begged me to wear my frog ring (quite obnoxious now that I look back) and swore he'd give it right back....and I never saw it again. 

I'll never forget the time Nicole and I went with Josh to Celebrity Tattoo in Lakewood to get his tattoo on his back.  He was in so much pain he was chewing on his shirt! I couldn't believe it hurt him so much.  I'm pretty sure we all talked about going back and getting tattoos together.

I will always treasure the time I spent with Josh and the memories we made.  Summer 2001 will forever have a special place in my heart.

I was lucky to spend my middle school and high school years with Josh and make many more great memories along the way. He became a big brother to many of us girls and was always there when we needed a reality check, a good picking on, or a hug. But none of those memories compare to the summer of 2001. That summer I, along with Annie and Erika, ended up spending a lot of time with Josh and I will forever cherish every minute of it. 

A few of my favorite memories from that summer:The night he stuffed Annies veggie burger with meat, The night Annie and I dropped him off from Chief Hosa and he ran into his garage while looking back and waving goodnight to us. The nights he would stop by my house on the way to the gym and beg me to go workout with him, and then the nights he would stop by after the gym just to talk. The night in the Hambulance when him and Jack pushed eachother around a parking lot (drunk) in shopping carts. The 4th of July. A night on his front porch with him and Erika. The randomn phone calls of totally obnoxious singing... and nothing else. And most importantly, the night he got his tattoo.

Erika and I promised Josh we would take him to get a tattoo before the summer was over and I remember how surprised we both were that he was so scared to do it.  We helped him pick out the design and made sure it was placed perfectly on his back. My favorite part was that big tough Josh asked to hold both of our hands, and as we sat there (for a very long time) we all laughed and talked about the summer. Afterwards we took him to Noodles for the first time and I remember he ordered buttered noodles. Of course I had to give him a hard time... who orders buttered noodles at a place that specializes in noodles?

The last night of the summer I spent with Josh, Annie and Erika at Staceys house. I remember when I showed up I was really sad about a little summer fling I had and how it was ending. I remember him telling me I was stupid. This was something Josh told me often but this time it was in a really sweet way. He told me I was stupid for being upset over a guy that didn't realize how great I was. He told me to hold my head up high and let him leave, that he didn't deserve me anyway. I have never forgotten that and never will. It was the last time I got a Josh hug, which I am pretty sure ended with a smack on the ass.

I am thankful everyday for that summer and for the gift of Joshes friendship.

Pre-school Josh: I was very fortunate to have known Josh since very early in our lives. My Mom watched him for several years so we spent a lot of time together before school even started! Josh was a diehard Broncos fan even at a very early age. He played flag football and his favorite “outfit” was his Elway jersey! Josh was surrounded by many little girls so he was coaxed into playing with dolls and dress up! My favorite picture of us early in our lives is the one where I wore my Mom’s wedding dress and he in his Elway jersey pretending to get married. He was always a good sport and he would do anything to make a friend happy, even at the age of four!

 Elementary Josh: Josh and I did not go to the same elementary school but we continued to see each other occasionally when our families would get together for various occasions! One of my favorite memories was sitting in his cousin’s room listening to Adam Sandler’s holiday CD! I was a bit naive so there was quite a bit that caught me off guard but I got a kick out of watching those boys giggle at his goofy songs! I think of Josh and smile every time I hear Adam Sandler’s Hanukkah song! A memory I won’t forget!

Middle School Josh: Walking into Moore Middle School was extremely intimidating; lots of new faces, a new school and a whole new era in life. I was so happy to see Josh’s face the first day of Moore! It was nice to have an “old” friend to have by my side during a couple ugly years in adolescence. Josh was always a class clown and tried to put a smile on everyone’s face! One way he did this was by eating chap stick! Every time I turned around he was grabbing chap stick out of my hands and taking a bite out of it! I don’t know that I ever had a smooth chap stick during those two years. Luckily he grew out of eating chap stick and his favorite red sweat suit! J 

High School Josh: We had several fun trips up to Silverthorne to stay at a friend’s cabin. One of my favorites was during the winter so we of course were all decked out in winter attire. While outside the Old Dillon Inn (taking a picture of course), Josh grabbed my hat, put it on and called it the Russian Spy hat! He wore it the rest of the night and I don’t know that I wore that hat again without a lot of teasing!    

College Josh: As we all know Josh was passionate about many things, one of them staying physically active. Josh ran and worked out consistently. After trying to convince me to go running with him for some time, I gave in and went running on a very hot summer day. Since he finally convinced me (who is NOT a runner) to oblige, I decided he should give one of my workouts a try. Josh was thrilled and accepted a yoga workout with great excitement. Little did I know that my workout was going to come from laughing not from the triangle or lord of the dance pose! While Josh was physically fit, he lacked some flexibility and balance. Josh giggled with every pose and had something to say about every position he tried to accomplish! The commentary made it difficult to focus or stay in one pose for any length of time. As if the comments, stumbling and giggled wasn't enough there was a pose that stretched him in a way that brought out a little hot air! At that moment, the workout was over. We laughed more than I thought possible! It was a yoga workout I will never forget!

Josh was one of my dearest friends. I will forever cherish the 20 years I knew him. He was the most dedicated and caring friend and all who had him in their lives were touched by his amazing spirit! Even after ten years, I can still hear his voice singing Alien Ant Farm’s “Annie are you okay?” I love and miss him every day!

There are really no words to explain how it feels to loss a friend, especially two days after their passing. I think this photo explains it perfectly. Friends drove all night and caught the first flights they could to come back to Arvada and be with eachother to not only celebrate our dear friends life, but to comfort one another as well. I don't think we all have ever been closer or valued eachothers friendships as much as we did on this day. At a time of true sadness and dispair we were reminded that the comfort of a good friend is priceless. It's amazing how much love you can feel when your heart is aching.

Once upon a winter break a few friends headed west to the McPhersons mountain condo. The boys skiied and the girls shopped. We watched movies, Josh and Annie traded hats, played pictionary a million times, Josh wrestled with everyone, we laughed non-stop and shared a great meal at The Old Dillion Inn. The End.

This photo is one that anyone who knew Josh would not be surprised to see. He was always the life of the party and bound to make you laugh in some way. The best thing about this photo is that it was taken the night of Becky's surprise 16th birthday party, a surprise that he accidenitally ruined by calling Becky to see if her party was at her house or Kristas.....a classic Josh move!