Joshua Everett Mayer

We met Beth and Joshua in Tacoma, and I have many fond memories of spending time with the Mayers. Beth and I became fast friends, and our families shared many meals and memories together.
The night before our youngest was born, we had Beth, Joshua, and Peter over for pizza. When we shared the news with them the next morning, Joshua came over in the afternoon to take our older two boys to the Children’s Museum with Peter, to help let us settle in with our little one. He always had a heart to care for others.
I have great memories of spending long afternoons in Vaughn at the camp, our kids all running on the grounds and at the beach, enjoying clams and other tasty dinners, and joining in the ceilidhs they would host when Beth’s brother and sister-in-law were in town.
I know Joshua will be missed by many and remembered as a kind, passionate person, a lover of stories, and someone who walked through the world with curiosity and compassion.
~Renata McNeely

I met Joshua through Camp Stand By Me. He accepted me as a volunteer when I was still a young man in high school and then was willing to hire me once I became an adult. I admired this man greatly.

I still remember our first interaction when I came to the camp before my week as a volunteer. I got the impression that he was distinguished, he was charming, he was caring, he was wise, that he was to his core a truly good man. Of course, we all know that these first impressions were spot on. He helped me, like he helped so many of us, to recognize the good we can do, to believe in myself even when things got tough (and boy can they get tough at camp!), and to center ourselves around the care and love we can show to ourselves and others.


Without Joshua's constant encouragement and enthusiasm, I doubt I would have thought myself capable of living up to the needs and standards of Camp Stand By Me's campers and staff who would rely on me. But I did it! Even after he found other opportunities for himself, it was his long-lasting influence that kept me going strong at camp. And even after he left, I was lucky enough to get to work with him again. I did not want to stop working with Joshua, which led me to follow him as a volunteer to the next camp he directed, Camp Promise. A very different experience with him, and so valuable to this day. I now feel so extraordinarily lucky to have met him and worked with him at these two camps. I will miss him, and I am so sorry for all of us to be without him now, but I know his positively influence will live on in all of our lives that he touched.

And the memories I carry with me of Joshua and his boys. He was always such a proud and merry father, and it was such a pleasure to spend time with him and his boys during our free times. All the games and jokes and love that the Mayer family allowed me to witness, it has remained a model for me of what the love of a father can create.

Thank you, Joshua. I am grateful to have known you.

Joshua and I shared three memorable years together in band and jazz band. Early mornings at zero-hour band practice and exciting trips to jazz festivals are memories I will always cherish. Josh had a unique blend of kindness and sensitivity that made him truly stand out. Being a year younger than Josh, I often looked up to him—he always seemed so effortlessly cool.

What I’ll never forget, though, is his kind heart and his love for the outdoors. One of my fondest memories is the time we attended MDA camp together and later took a road trip to the west side of the state with a few friends. It was an adventure that perfectly captured Josh’s spirit—fun-loving, thoughtful, and full of life.

Although life took us in different directions and we eventually lost touch, I never doubted for a moment that the world was a better place with Josh in it. He touched the lives of so many with his warmth, his generosity, and his genuine care for others. He will be deeply missed, and his legacy of kindness will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew him.

To Joshua’s family and loved ones, please know that my thoughts are with you during this difficult time. May you find comfort in the memories you shared with him and in the love that surrounds you.

Dearest Beth, Peter, Corin, and Jack. May I offer you some truth and encouragement in such sorrow and anger filled times.
Joshua showed us the way, we must continue in it. He understood what most choose not to.
John 13:34-35- A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as God has loved you, that you also love one another. BY THIS all will know that you are God’s children, IF you have love for one another.
Look for those that demonstrate this daily like Joshua did.
And remember,
1 Corinthians 15:42-49
The earthly body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption! The earthly body is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory! The earthly body is sown in weakness, it is raised in power! The earthly body is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 46-However, the spiritual body is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. The first man was made of Earth, made of dust; the second man IS the Lord made from Heaven. As was the man of dust, so also are those made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the Heavenly Man.
It’s a journey down here, just remember it’s very temporary and we have so much to look forward too in Eternity! Head up and continue your earthly and Heavenly Fathers work. It’s ok to be sad, mad, and all the things just don’t forget the truth and ask for encouragement when needed.
You are loved with the most powerful LOVE that will ever exist. There’s nothing you can do to earn it, it’s a gift already paid in full. 💗

I met Joshua at MDA summer camp, we volunteered as camp counselors for many years. He had so much energy, running around, playing with the campers and creating so much fun for all. My first memory of him was in the early morning. A group of us older counselors would get up early before the rest so we could have coffee and enjoy the quiet of the morning. Joshua would be on the dock meditating and stretching, then he would play his trumpet! We always had 2 dances during the week long camp, one was formal and the other casual. One year Joshua and his friend Greg dressed up like girls, he borrowed his sister's dress, put on makeup and showed up to the formal dance! It was great! He and Greg danced with the campers all night! We kept saying the dress looked better on him than Katie! Sorry Katie!
Joshua just loved the campers, he did anything to put a smile on their face and make them happy. His camper for many years was Bobby. He stayed in contact with Bobby throughout the year, writing letters and calling to plan their week at camp. They coordinated outfits, costumes, and pranks! One year Joshua received a call from Bobby's parents saying he was very sick in the hospital and probably wouldn't make it. They said that if he wanted Joshua could come visit Bobby, so he did. They talked about camp, all the fun and adventures they had enjoyed together. I know this was difficult for Joshua, he was so close to Bobby. Bobby did make it to camp that summer, he was still very sick but he came and had fun. He passed not too long after camp. Joshua's love, light and energy gave Bobby the strength to get well enough to go. I see that love for life, fun and happiness in his boys.
I stopped volunteering at MDA camp and didn't see Joshua for many years. Then I changed schools and during conference week in walks Joshua! He was much older than he was at camp (17 I believe) and now he was a father, but he still had that lively spirit that I remembered! It was fun recounting camp memories, but it was more fun seeing him in his sons. Peter, Corin and Jack are spirited, playful, and fun, just like their father!

I fondly remember Joshua’s love of music. He and my husband Andrew would be bopping their heads and lip-syncing to Tower of Power while preparing a meal. Each time we visited Joshua would greet us with the latest tunes he found on Pandora.

I think back to our times together, and toddler Corin considering me his friend, and all the connections. And I smile. Sending love.

Dear Peter, Corin, and Jack,

​I met Joshua in 2011 when we rented out Camp Stand By Me for our own camp. After long summers, he would've had the perfect excuse to take a break from activities and group meals in the dining hall, but he'd always turn up—just as excited as day 1—with you in a corner of the dining hall or at a dance...or on a "date night" at our drive-in movie night with your mom if it was after your bedtime. He clearly loved camp, but he loved sharing his passion for it and time with you even more. He was an enthusiastic learner—always recommending a book he'd read (Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin is one that comes to mind if you share his interests), a class he'd enjoyed, or a Facebook group he thought could be a helpful resource. He had a gift of seeing the potential in anyone or any space or any program and nurturing it to fruition and I have no doubt his impact and legacy will be felt for years and years to come.

Peter, Corbin, and Jack,
Your dad was such a very special man who had a heart that encompassed all he encountered. He so loved being a dad and sharing you with all his campers, who also loved you!
Drew knew Joshua from Camp Easterseals, how he loved going to camp and knowing your dad would be there! A highlight of his summer! And then they would compare beards😁 This many years later Drew now has the salt and pepper your dad did then.
We truly hope the memories shared here with you will bring some comfort to you as you read them now and again down the road.
Drew will often inquire as to how Joshua is despite our not having had any recent contact, he lives on in many hearts and always will. He was a kind, gentle, loving soul who accepted all for who they were. We will hold him in our hearts and think of you as we do.
The Peltier Family

Joshua was one of the best bosses I’ve ever had. I had the pleasure of working with him at camp stand by me from 2015 to 2018 and I learned so much from him! he was so kind, so inspirational, so passionate and made you feel so heard and valued.

He taught me some really essential things that shaped how I see and interact with the world. He taught me that human beings always have value and that value is not dependent on how much they contribute to the world or how productive they are, their presence and uniqueness alone bring value and beauty to the world. He also taught me the value of creative problem solving- this was mostly established by how many toilets we had to figure out how to fix or unclog on our own at camp! He also taught me what a true leader looks like. His model of leadership was that of an upside down pyramid, balancing on its point. And the tippy top part of the pyramid was him as a leader. But as the leader he was also the base of the pyramid and was responsible for supporting and holding everyone else up so we could thrive and do our jobs well, and I feel like he truly did this, he took care of us, supported us, and believed in each of us to rise up to the challenge of the work we all did. He had high standards but he also believed in you and you wanted to make him proud and help him accomplish his vision of the beautiful inclusive and welcoming space that camp stand by me was. He also created the most wonderful community and I have so many lifelong friends because of the culture he created at camp!

Now onto the funny stories of Joshua. I remember one time he some how got ahold of a disco ball to install in the rec lodge for our dance parties. He was sooooo excited when he installed it, totally beaming when the lights turned on. He also created a wire cage to go around the disco ball to protect it if campers excitedly threw things up at the disco ball so it wouldn’t break. These were the kind of vision and practically he balanced at camp.

I will also never forget the time I missed the camp dance because one the toilets flushed the entire bath hall, and so I spent a long time mopping up poopy water all over the floor. But part way through my mopping Joshua came and offered to take over the mopping so I could enjoy a few moments at the dance. Most bosses would not take over mopping poopy water from one of their employees but he did, always willing to pitch in and do the same work as any of his employees. No one was below him, we were always a team.

Another memory was him training me how to take care of the pool. He was instructing me on how to add powder chlorine to the pool, so he turns to me and hands me these large pouches of chlorine and instructs me to pour the into the pool stating so matter of factly “but make sure to pour them slowly or else they could explode” then walks away, leaving me to handle it myself. I was terrified that I was going to cause an explosion but it hilarious to think about now because he just trusted me and my competence.

I also have so many fond memories of the group exercise and bonding activities he planned for us at the end of each session. I remember each week we all dreaded them because we were exhausted after a week long session and deep cleaning the entire camp, but he always made us do an activity at the very end to boost moral and endorphins because our weekend started, and he was always right even though I initially didn’t want to do it. By the end of each activity we would be sweating and laughing and all closer than ever as a team. I remember he tough us how to do these Scottish line dances where we would swing each other in circles and Peter and Corrin would join in as well. We would swing each other around so wildly that some people would have bruises on their arms at the end. All the while Peter and Corrin are dodging us as they ran down the middle of the line. Another one of my favorite camp activities at the end of the session was when the tide was extremely low and there was a hidden sand spit just a few inches underwater that we went out to. We raced out there with canoes and the pontoon and then got to see all sorts of unique sea creatures and splash around in the water. Joshua knew how to make the fun happen and he was so full of energy and enthusiasm!

Joshua is so deeply missed, but he made such a positive impact on so many people’s lives. I wouldn’t be the same without him and I will use the wisdom he gave me to create more positive impacts on the world.

Dear Peter, Corin, and Jack - I am so, so sorry to hear about your father's passing. You all deserved so much more time together.

I met your dad when he was the camp director at Easter Seals and I was one of the Camp Promise directors who rented out that camp facility. And, I knew you guys when you were little, running around camp. Peter, you were the informal mayor of camp, you knew everyone and knew where everything was, second only to your dad. Your dad was one of the best camp directors I've ever met and I learned so much from him. He had a knack for staying calm during any situation at camp, he could fix a dishwasher as well as argument between staff, and he was so good at reading the tide schedules. I remember that he would ride his bike up that super steep hill, and that he would wear an ascot when dressing up for a camp dance. He was never too serious to dress up, get his hands dirty, or interact with campers, even those from outside groups like mine. He taught me so much about people management and had a powerful way of motivation the folks around him to do Good, and to do Better. You couldn't help but grow as a human being when you worked with or around your dad. His staff left camp changed, in the best kind of way possible.
"You can take a person out of camp, but you can't take the camp out of a person." After Joshua and I both left the camp world, we partnered up with another camp director and led a training at a national camp conference on how to transition out of camp jobs. It's not easy to transition out of a camp role, especially when camp is still a part of your heart. It couldn't have been easy for your dad to leave Easter Seals, but he did it with intention and grace and left his camp in a better shape than it was when he first got there. Here's a couple photos of your dad and some of his camp colleagues at conferences and trainings.
Sending you all a giant hug and want you to know we won't forget your dad. His memory will live on in all those he impacted.

I am a friend of Beth’s and had the pleasure to know Joshua while he worked at the Easter Seals camp. His kind hearted nature was a pleasure to be around. His love for the outdoors and serving others as well as his love for his boys was very evident. May this love live in your hearts forever, as those that we love always live forever in our hearts.

Dear Peter, Corin, and Jack,

I was so sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. He and I went to high school together and spent countless hours playing in the jazz band. Though I didn’t do a great job of staying in touch with him after high school, I’d love to share a few memories that I hope will help you appreciate why he was such a gift to so many.

Your dad and I were both trumpet players. He worked incredibly hard to develop his own sound. He had a deep love for music and was always exploring new artists. Thanks to him, I discovered some incredible bands that I still listen to today. I’ll always be grateful that he introduced me to Tower of Power, among many others. In high school, we all participated in a retreat called Search, where it was tradition to receive mix tapes (ask an adult what a tape is) from friends who had already attended. The one your dad made for me was phenomenal—I played it constantly until I wore it out. I hope you’ll each develop the same appreciation for great music that he had.

Your dad had an incredible sense of style. I always looked to him for cool outfit ideas—he was way ahead of his time, rocking Filson gear before anyone else. Looking at the wonderful photos posted on this page, I can see that he never lost that flair—even wearing a cravat. So cool. I have no doubt you’ll each carry forward aspects of his hip style in your own way.

More than anything, your dad was fun. I remember when your grandparents bought a brand-new Toyota Tacoma—if I recall, it was red. In the ‘90s, that truck was the epitome of cool. One day, Josh and I popped a Led Zeppelin CD into the stereo, rolled down the windows, and tore off from Prep to the dirt roads near Minnehaha. We put that Tacoma through its paces, blasting “Fool in the Rain” and laughing our heads off. It’s one of my favorite memories from high school. I hope that in your own way, you’ll each carry forward his love for adventure and joy.

While words can never truly capture the depth of a person, I hope these small glimpses help you see just how special your dad was. You are in my prayers as you navigate this loss, and I hope that in time, the many wonderful memories of him bring you comfort.

It is so beautiful to see all these precious memories of how Joshua touched so many people's lives. I met Joshua my first year as a MDA camp nurse. He was a sweet and loving albeit quite rascally teenager. Oh...the stories I could tell about the hijinks that he and his buddy Greg got into. 🤪 He was an awesome adventure king for his camper Bobby for a few years, until Bobby's death from DMD. Later in life, Joshua became the Camp Director for Easter Seals Camp Stand By Me. He hired me to be his camp nurse for several sessions. We had some great adventures and some near disasters (like the year Noro virus attacked about half of our campers and counselors). Through all the tough work and ups and downs to running a camp for people with disabilities, we became special friends, or as we call it in Hawaii, Ohana. I hadn't seen Joshua, Beth and the boys since I moved to Hawaii in 2018, but we chatted regularly on line. I was always aware that this dear man faced mental and physical challenges, but he seemed able to turn his own pain into loving service to others. I watched him several times help campers who were in a complete meltdown to reach a peaceful resolution. And, he was pretty good with camp staff conflicts too. I so honored being a part of his Ohana and sharing in the love that he and Beth had for their boys. You will always be with me, my friend.

I had the great fortune of meeting Josh as volunteer counselors at The MDA Camp during a college summer. Josh’s light & energy were infectious & it seemed that every camper lined up to be part of his circle of fun. Great social connector that he was, that summer Josh introduced me to wonderful humans who became lifelong friends.

Favorite memories from those years include an epic group road trip to the west side & San Juans, camping sans tents under the stars, skiing at Mt. Spokane, lots of hikes, watching Josh & his buddies practice at the Music Building on GU’s campus & scoring great friend deals when Josh worked at REI!

In October of 2000 Josh organized & played all the music for Justin and my wedding ceremony—it was such a gift to walk down the aisle to the sound of his trumpet! 🎺

Summer of ‘98 I worked as a Unit Leader at Camp Stand By Me & was beyond excited years later when Josh & Beth ended up there. Justin & I were able to visit them in September 2017 and it was so sweet to watch our kids play with the Mayer boys in one of my favorite places.

A few months ago, my son asked me what I knew about Jazz music & I laughed & said, “Honestly, nearly everything that I know about Jazz was taught to me or played for me by Josh Mayer in college!” 😊

Josh felt deeply, had a heart full of compassion for the most vulnerable citizens of our world, was a gifted musician & outdoorsman, a loyal friend & loved his family fiercely.

Words cannot adequately describe the way his awesome smile-that lit up his eyes-made others feel seen & important. We will miss it so much. We are holding his three boys & all of his family in our hearts, thoughts, & prayers through this tremendous loss.

Josh was my brother Dan's best friend in high school, and technically my first boyfriend when I was 13, though in the pre-cell-phone age, our "relationship" consisted primarily of trying to call each other and the other person not being home, after a few weeks of which we decided maybe it made more sense to just be friends. By the time he graduated, he'd become like a second brother to me, and like another son to my mom. So many of my memories of him involve laughter; he was so funny and charming and so much fun, and he threw himself into new hobbies and new passions with total dedication and enthusiasm, as well as a great sense of adventure. He was also extremely kind and gentle-hearted even as a teenager, and thoughtful and philosophical, too, whether it was about jazz or the mysteries of dating or the nature of the universe.

I remember him cheerfully cleaning up after his beloved, aging, incontinent dog, with a fond smile and a shrug and a "What else can I do? He's my dog." I remember him trying to teach me to drive a stick shift in his old Vanagon, and I also remember that at one point the Vanagon decided to stop shifting above second gear, which obviously prompted Josh to just drive it around in reverse instead. (He always had a vision of using that Vanagon as the foundation of a mobile jazz group that would just drive around with the sliding door open, bestowing tasty licks upon the masses. The Vanagon was not always the most reliable mode of transportation, but it more than made up for that by being absolutely legendary.) I remember him very firmly asserting that you should be exempted from a speeding ticket if you were listening to Immigrant Song. I remember lying in wheatfields at night, staring up at the stars. I remember dozens of silly running jokes–some of which Dan and I still reference to this day, including calling the heater the "chauder"–and a lot of bright smiles and great hugs. Most of the cards and letters I have from Josh have hand-drawn illustrations, little pieces of art.

We stayed in touch more intermittently after high school; I wasn't the best correspondent, but periodically I'd get a long, rambling, hilarious voicemail from him, and it would be like no time had passed at all. He was in my wedding, because I couldn't imagine such an important event in my life without him, and of course my husband very quickly became a huge fan of his too, as people usually tended to do when they met Josh. (Josh was, of course, in Dan's wedding too, and I remember him gamely volunteering to drive Dan's car through ridiculous Boston traffic so we could pick up cannoli for the reception. I've blocked out most of the details of that little journey, but I do know that Josh did heroic work, and also that we almost got in at least one accident and we were laughing hysterically by the time we finally pulled up safely in front of the bakery.)

It was a joy getting to know Beth, and to watch Josh become a father, to witness the pride and happiness in his eyes and his voice every time he talked about or spent time with the boys–the love just beamed out of him. I was always deeply impressed and inspired by the ways he and Beth continually chose to dedicate their lives to helping others, even when it was extremely challenging. (I remember Josh telling me very earnestly when he was 15 that he was going to become a lawyer and make lots of money, which I always chuckled about later, given the very different, and very meaningful, paths that he took instead.) Back in 2016, when Dan and his wife were visiting Washington, we spent the night at Camp Stand By Me with Josh and Beth and Peter and Corin, and it's still one of my and my husband's very favorite memories. Such a beautiful place, and an amazing meal, and the best possible company, and Josh gave us a typically enthusiastic tour (mostly in the dark, since we arrived late, and punctuated by him repeatedly trying to find a kind of tree bark that was supposed to taste like licorice, and repeatedly discovering that he'd just put some other, non-licorice-tasting tree bark in his mouth–again, so much laughter).

I feel beyond lucky to have known Josh for more than 30 years (though of course that wasn't nearly enough), and I knew him to be incredibly kind and determined, as well as compassionate and open-hearted and open-minded and generous and brave and curious, and still always with that indelible sense of fun. He was the kind of person you could invite to any party or gathering and know that he'd come away with new friends. My whole family loved him so much, and will miss him so much. Our deepest condolences to everyone else who loved him, especially his family, who I know meant the absolute world to him. We'll carry him in our hearts forever.

I grew up down the street from the Mayer family as a child. When I was about 6 the Mayer kiddos put on a talent show. Joshua was about 9 and declared that he was a MAGICIAN! So charismatic and funny, I was mesmerized by his talent. I tried to get him to tell me how he did his trick and he kindly said, "I don't want to ruin your fun". I remember Joshua as so kind, funny and inclusive. I'm so very sorry for your loss.

This is a hard thing to do -but the thing about Joshua that I remember is he did hard things. I’ll never forget the first time I met him - he had the kindest eyes, the warmest smile and he put me at ease. I see this in all 3 of his sons. He cared so genuinely and deeply about people. But he loved Jack, Corin and Peter the most. The other thing I most remember about Joshua was his surety of being at our church when they first moved to Spokane - I remember thinking “Are you sure? Maybe you should look around.” But they came and this Church is still committed to you Peter, Corin and Jack! Joshua is deeply loved and missed!

Joshua was a loving dad and a kind and generous man. I have many fond memories of watching him orchestrate the chaos of a day at Camp Stand By Me with Peter acting as his right hand. We were lucky enough to have our wedding at the camp and Joshua worked tirelessly to make that it a wonderful day.
His boys loved him dearly for his playfulness and loving attentiveness. His service of vulnerable populations is something for everyone to be inspired by. He leaves a lasting legacy of laughing campers, joyful counselors, and inspired students. His loss breaks my heart.

A few things have stood out as Joe and I have been reminiscing about our friendships with Joshua. Joshua was the life of any party! He knew how to have fun, and so many of our favorite memories of him involved us all laughing hysterically. Every time we go to Home Depot, we still think of Joshua, calling it “Home Despot” in his honor. Whenever we quote Homestar Runner, we hear it in Joshua's voice (Trogdor anyone?…I am pretty sure he was pretty good at drawing Trogdor, too!).

Joshua was a passionate soul who deeply and sincerely loved virtually everyone he met. He especially loved his three boys, who were his pride and joy. He had great compassion for those among us who were ever brokenhearted, weary, and in need of a friend. We will miss you, brother!

Much love to Joshua’s three boys and family during this time.

I've been at a loss for what to say, be it in text, out loud, or to myself. I found a quote on Joshua's Facebook that has helped me to articulate what I want to say. It was the last thing he posted, and it was the way I watched him live.

"Before you speak to me about your religion, first show it to me in how you treat other people; before you tell me how much you love your God, show me in how much you love all His children; before you preach to me of your passion for your faith, teach me about it through your compassion for your neighbors. In the end, I’m not as interested in what you have to tell or sell as I am in how you choose to live and give." - Cory Booker

Joshua Mayer was my boss, my mentor, and my friend. I've thought a lot about how I wouldn't be the leader of communicator I am today without those years with him at Camp. I think about how good he was with everyone. We used to joke that all we needed at Camp was $1.2 million dollars. One time he was talking motorcycles with a parent or volunteer, and they joked he needed a camp motorcycle. I told him that if there was ever going to be anyone, in the entire world, who could convince people to gladly donate $1.2 million and a motorcycle to Camp, he was the guy.

More importantly than his skills and talents, though, I remember that he was all in. Sincere and sincerely committed. Courageous and curious. All of the charisma, the inspiring words, the witty banter - it falls flat if there's no action behind it. People - staff, campers, parents, volunteers - loved Joshua because he lived what he said, and you could see the passion and joy he had for everyone. He was quick to pull out a costume and join a dance party. He let the campers get him messier than themselves on messy night. He was the guy who would spend the night awake with a camper who couldn't sleep. He took the time to listen. Anytime we both had to be working out of the office to have enough supervision, I would ask if he wanted to take over logistics and boss stuff or fill in for a counselor with their camper/cabin; he always, always chose the latter. Whether that meant laying in a bunk bed, hanging out during rest hour, canoeing, or wandering miles with a camper who needed 1:1 supervision and loved to explore, he chose being out there with campers and staff every time.

The world is quite literally a worse place for you being gone, man. But damn, you made it better for hundreds of people while you were here. Thousands? We served over 400 campers a year by 2017. We served and knew and loved those campers and their families. We supported dozens of staff per year. And they loved you. Thank you for making things better for so many people, and for me. You will always be my mentor.

Joshua was someone I always looked forward to greeting as he always greeted me with a smile! I coordinated our church’s support work for “Camp Stand By Me”. Joshua treated each of us with respect and was happy to see us. Joshua was upbeat and always wanted to move life forward by making things around him better. Joshua was always appreciative and supportive of our work. Through explanations to groups of the camp’s mission, you knew he was passionate about helping those with special needs. He devoted his heart and energy to making the camp better. He also dearly loved his family and their time working and playing at camp. He viewed life from a different and creative lens, having deep thoughts about life and its meaning. He also had creative ideas on how to fix things. Beth provided a complimentary and more practical view many times, so they were a good team to work with. I look forward to meeting Joshua again “over the great divide”. God Bless Joshua and his family. The poem below is one I believe he would want his sons to know as it articulates much of his ethos.

Live Your Life
– By Chief Tecumseh
So, live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart.
Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view,
and demand that they respect yours.
Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life.
Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people.

Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide.

Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend,
even a stranger, when in a lonely place.
Show respect to all people and grovel to none.

When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living.
If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself.
Abuse no one and no thing,
for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision.

When it comes your time to die,
be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death,
so that when their time comes, they weep and pray for a little more time,
to live their lives over again in a different way.

Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.

My sisters and I have been discussing the recent passing of Joshua, each of us reliving in our own minds the untimely death of our father six decades ago. I awoke this morning at 6 a.m., and thought of Joshua's three boys, as I pulled on my socks, and wept tears of sorrow. May the peace and mercy of our Lord lift Joshua up and fill the lives of his sons with love and forgiveness during this difficult time.

Joshua was the older brother of my childhood best friend. I had a pretty severe autoimmune disease that was treated by daily steroids, which caused rapid weight gain. A lot of the children at my elementary school made fun of me, and I can't count the times that Joshua stopped it and stuck up for me. Even though I hadn't spoken with him in years, I've never forgotten and will never forget his kindness.

Our family first met Joshua and Beth in Gig Harbor at Harbor Covenant Church. Then we moved out by their camp and became neighbors. I remember one summer afternoon, Joshua had gone on a run and our home was on his route. I opened the door to him and he was wearing a bandana around his head as a sweat band, no shirt, shorts, and hiking boots. Yep, boots. I asked him about them and he said they were the only comfortable shoes he had to run in. I laughed out loud! But he just grinned ear to ear, visited with us for a quick minute and continued on his run.

His smile always met his eyes and he made us all feel like the most important person in the room. He loved his family dearly and especially his children. He was charismatic, creative, kind, and lived in a state of abundance, sharing openly.

Joshua was a family friend. He was older than me and 20+ years ago I was in awe of how handsome, charming and generous he was. For a few years every summer I followed him and his siblings to volunteer as camp counselors at Muscular Dystrophy camp. His kindness and fun loving nature poured out. His loving leadership was grounded in faith and a great sense of humor. I will always remember how cool I felt whenever I had the honor of hanging out with Joshua. My condolences and love goes out to his family.

Joshua was my eldest stepbrother and a very kind sole. I grew up going on camping trips with him and remember him as being the leader of the group, but also a caregiver. Joshua lit up a room and made the people around him feel comfortable and at ease. His legacy will live on through the lives he transformed and his wonderful sons.

Josh was a major part of my highschool experience. We were in many classes together all four years and were in a tight friend group, particularly our senior year. We bantered, we philosophized, and we played a lot of music. He was smart and funny and mindful--and like most of us in highschool, sometimes a pain in the you-know-what. Hearing this news brings up memories of four years of doing boundary breakers, of calling each other by our French names, of quick conversations by our lockers, of debating the merits of jazz, and of deep conversations in fields under the full moon. See you on the other side, Josh.

(I will try to find a copy of our senior prom group picture to share.)

I was a camp counselor at Camp Stand By Me in 2016. Joshua was a wonderful leader, who guided us with care, compassion, energy, and a great sense of humor. It was impossible not be inspired and motivated when around him. He will be greatly missed.

It is with great sadness that the world has lost such a beautiful soul. I've prayed for Joshua for years in the kindness that he showed to not only the "kids" at Easterseals, but to me also. Joshua was one of the first to invite me to join an activity that wasn't a church related program, but that was filled with believers. Everyday guys, coming together in fellowship. It was through Joshua that I met and know so many wonderful people. It is often that we in our daily lives overlook those around us, but to Joshua, he saw them and invited us together.
I will miss you, my friend.

I worked at Camp Stand By Me with Joshua many years ago. But my memories and time with him have stuck around. Joshua was inspiring to me and I looked up to him. He taught me it was okay to let go and be myself and how to love and bring joy to others, especially the campers. He also taught me things about leadership. It brought me joy to see him interacting with his family. He motivated everyone around him to do better, one of those ways was starting a challenge carrying a wheelbarrow of rocks up and down the large hill that camp sits on. I always felt comfortable going to him with a hard problem and even if he was sleep deprived during a camp week he had wisdom to give. He was a great mentor, friend, and human being. I'm glad to have known him.

Joshua made my years at Camp Stand By Me a very fun, safe, and happy place. His smiling face and friendly smile kept me from being scared and nervous in a new environment.

SO any memories at Gonzaga and at MDA camp.
When I got married, he was a bridesmaid. No dress, but he probably would have. For my wedding present, he gave me the old baseball hat I used to steal from him. A bit later, when he got married to Beth, it was my present to him. If anyone sees his University of Puget Sound hat, it’s got a history of fun.

Our son had such complex needs that Camp Stand By Me was the only option for summer camp one year. Joshua was amazing. He welcomed us as a family to visit in advance of signing up, he assured us they could handle our son and his needs, and he phoned us during camp week to reassure us and get some necessary information. ❤

Joshua was the first to tell us about Camp Stand By Me and at the time we thought- there is no way Caleb (Down Syndrome and Autism) could attend without a parent. But Joshua met Caleb and assured us that he could do it and they would provide 1:1 support for him. We never would have tried it without Joshua’s encouragement and confidence. Caleb was able to attend summer camp and many respite weekends and loved it! It was much needed respite for us and we knew he was in good hands with Joshua looking out for him. It was such a remarkable gift for our family.

We remember Joshua's loving care for our son Samuel at the respite weekends and summer camps. One summer camp Sammy got so excited that he had a hard time sleeping at night, keeping his cabin mates awake. But Joshua had a solution! He took Sammy to a lean-to or other more secluded sleeping place where Sammy's noise did not bother other campers, and they slept under the stars. The next night Sammy was able to sleep quite peacefully again. By sacrificing his own sleep and comfort Joshua showed love to Sammy and the other campers.