Joshua Edward King
August 14, 1981 ~ January 11, 2004
Resided in:
Leicester, NC
“It is the soldier - who salutes our flag; who serves beneath our flag; and ... whose coffin is draped by our American flag.”
Joshua Edward “Josh” King, 22, of 842 Austin Branch Road, Leicester, died unexpectedly Sunday, January 11, 2004, in Johnson City, TN.
He was born in Buncombe County and served as a Corporal in the US Army, 82nd Airborne. Upon his discharge on March 19, 2003, he was awarded the Army Achievement Medal for “Meritorious service while assigned to Charlie Battery, 3-319th AFAR”.
He was the loving son of Eddie and Debbie King of Leicester and is also survived by his sister Autumn King of Leicester; his paternal grandmother Nancy King of Leicester and his maternal grandmother Helen Thompson of Asheville; aunts and uncles, Catherine and Will Lawrence, Cindy and Allen Hilt, Gail and Jerry Manning, Pat and Guen Thompson, Eddie and Sheila Thompson, Randy Sutton, loving family and dedicated friends.
Funeral services will be at 12:00 noon Friday in the chapel of the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery with the Rev. David Bryant officiating. Burial will follow in the Veterans Cemetery.
His family will receive friends from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Thursday at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue.
Memorials may be sent to the family at PO Box 423, Leicester, NC 28748, to help defray expenses.
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Tomorrow marks the four year anniversary of Josh’s passing. There hasn’t been a day that has gone by without Josh coming to my mind. I have kept in touch with Autumn, Debbie, and Eddie quite often the past four years and I will never lose touch. Josh will forever be a part of me. I miss him so much. I miss his laugh, his ‘advice’ on my latest relationship, his goofy little grins with those cute little dimples…I miss his friendship. I can now say I’m happily married, as of December 29th, 2007, and wish so badly that he could meet my wife. He would definitely approve. And her name is Autumn, out of all names. He lit up the room when he walked in it and ever since he’s been gone, the world hasn’t been as bright. But the ironic thing is, When I was on my way to work today, the sun shined so incredibly bright…brighter than I’ve ever seen it. I nearly had to pull over because I couldn’t see the cars in front of me. If it’s just as bright tomorrow I’m going to wonder if it’s God’s way of letting Josh shine down on the earth, as if to say, ‘Hey, I’m still here…I told you I would be.’
We will always remember the special memories we had throughout the years. You will always have a special place in our hearts and you will be missed everyday.
I will always remember the laughter and good times that Josh brought to all of us in High School. He always said he wanted to be on the front row at one of my big concerts. Josh, I’ll save a seat for you. My thoughts go out to the family.
We were sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dear Family,
You have the sweetiest son in the world. I am so shocked to hear about you loss. I had english last semester at AB-Tech with him. He was my study partner in the class. It was just 3 short weeks ago that I saw his bright and shinning face. We would sit and talk about how his life was in Fort Bragg because I lived there over this past summer. We had so many things in common, he was just a great guy. He always made me laugh. He will definately be missed, I know at least by me. Just the other day I said to myself, ‘I wonder if Josh will be in any of my classes?’ He was friends to so many, I keep your family in my prayers and thoughts.
Sincerly,
Brandi
Joshua was my cousin and such an amazing person. I loved him very much and he is greatly missed.
Dear Eddie, Debbie and Autumn,
One could only wish that there are enough words to provide comfort to you and your family at this time. Know that Josh was cared for and loved by many. We will carry his memory in our hearts and your family in our thoughts and prayers.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Josh is greatly missed by so many friends. He was truely one of a kind. God bless you all.
Josh was the light that shown through during the dark hours of class. He always had a smile for everyone. He always added laughter to our years at Madison. We all will truly miss him. Love & Prayers.
Josh was the light that shown through during the dark hours of class. He always had a smile for everyone. He always added laughter to our years at Madison. We all will truly miss him. Love & Prayers.
I know there is not a right thing to say at a time like this. But I know Josh will be missed by many.And now we have the memories of what a fun and loving person he was. Looking back all through school Josh was the one everyone wanted to be around. He always knew when you needed a smile or a laugh. God Bless you all and my thoughs and prayers are with your family.
I am so sorry in the time of your loss. For God shall wipe away all your tears from your eyes. I know that it is hard to dell with the loss. We ask God why but we do not get an answer. For he does not make any mistakes. If you want to see Joshua again then you have to live right and be saved. May God Bless you during the time of your loss.You are in my thoughts and prayers. May he keep you when times get hard,after the loss.
I went to Madison High with Josh and I am sorry I couldn’t be there. Josh was a wonderful person and I will miss him so.
What a charasmatic person Josh was. He will be truly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with the family in this time of sorrow. He could always make you laugh, what a legacy to leave behind.
Eddie,Debbie and Autumn,
Our hearts ache for the grief we know you are feeling. Just know our thoughts and prayers are with you and that Josh was loved very much and will be missed.
David and Kathy
Carter
God Bless you all. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Josh was a beautiful person and will be missed. Now you each have a guardian angel watching over you each and every day.
all our prayers and thoughts are with you all at this time of sorrow. Josh was a fun loving young man as he was growing up. he and our son chris shared many fun filled days. may God bless and keep you. THE LITTRELLS
God Bless You during your time of mourning. Josh was a truly special person. I will always remember walking with him on homecoming court and seeing his smiling face in the halls.
were so sorry for your loss.our thoughts and prayers will be with you.
The Messer family
Sorry to hear about your lost.Josh is such a goodlooking boy and is going to be missed a great deal. I will keep you in my prayers
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this time of sorrow.
Debbie and family we are sorry to hear that Josh has passed away.
We just want you to know we are thinking of you.
Jeff & Tammy Boyd
EDDIE, DEBBIE & AUTUMN
I’M SO SORRY ABOUT JOSH. I HAVE THOUGHT FOR DAYS ABOUT WHAT I WOULD SAY AND ALL I COULD THINK OF IS HOW HE COULD LIGHT UP YOUR LIFE WITH JUST A SMILE. I’LL MISS HIM VERY MUCH. I’M SO SORRY.
SINCERLY,
BRENDA
Debbie,
I am so terribly sorry to hear of your aweful loss. Josh was an amazing young man and I’ll always feel priviledged to know you and your family. God bless you and guide you in this tragedy. Let us know if there is anything we can do for you.
Joey Wells
David Flanders
311 Carriage Place Ct.
Decatur, GA 30033
Eddie, Debbie and Autumn,
There are no words to express the sorrow that I feel in my heart, just as there are no words to help you to understand what has happened,or to comfort you. I will always remember Josh. He was a ‘light’ in my Third Grade Classroom. He always had that smile on his face. That special smile and his energy I will never forget. May God Bless and keep you all in His tender love and care.Josh will not be forgotten.
Debra Fore Norton
Josh’s Third Grade Assistant at Marshall Primary School
I will never forget all the fun times I shared with Josh. Starting in middle school all the way through homecomings and high school days. He will be missed greatly. God bless you and your family.
Dear Eddie and Debbie, I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Josh. Although I have not seen him or you since he was little I am sure with you two for parents he was a fine young man. My duties with my church basketball league prevented my from coming to the visitation last night. But you are in our prayers and our church will be lifting you up before the Lord in the days that come. May God grant you peace as you rest in the knowledge that all who know Christ will be rejoined one day to live forever in His kingdom. Love Mike King
There are a million things a person could say about Josh, especially if you cared about him like I and so many others did. I have been trying to think of what to say for the past few days and there really isn’t anything that will help anyone through this except for God, friends, family, and time.
I dated Josh in high school and kept a pretty close contact with him over the last few years. My senior year at UNCW, he used to come visit me when he was living at Fort Bragg. I am just devastated over this. I know that if I’m feeling this heartbroken and empty inside, then you, as the family, are obviously feeling 100 times that. I just hope that you will always remember Josh for what he truly was, which was a charming, sweet, and beautiful human being.
My senior year in high school, Josh did the sweetest thing in my yearbook. He broke a pen and smeared the ink all over his hand and put his handprint underneath what he wrote. I guess whenever I think about him and start to miss him again(which is always); I can put my hand where his was at one time. Maybe that will serve as some sort of comfort. But I know I’ll never let go of his hand completely. I never really have.
The last line he wrote in my yearbook was ‘I love you, I’ll miss you, and you’ll always be in my heart. Remember, I’m always here if you need me.’ Well, Josh, even though you’re not here physically, you’ll always be in my heart and everyone else’s who loved you. You will never be forgotten.
My heart goes out to you, Debbie, Eddie, Autumn, and everyone else who knew Josh. God bless…you will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Eddie, Debbie & Autumn,
We are so sorry for your loss. As your neighbors for 18 years we watched Josh grow up with our son Josh. Josh turned out to be a fine young man. We fell like we have lost one of our children. We are sorry that we did not come to visitation last night, but you are in our prayers and you know we will do anything we can do to help. God will help you all through this and give you comfort and strength to carry on — that’s what Josh would have wanted you to do. We are here for you. We love all of you,
Duane, Terri & Josh Fox
We returned to Asheville after that awful day (1-11-04) in Johnson City. I walked into grandma’s (Helen Thompson) house and the first thing I saw was a small picture on an end table. I picked it up and it was Josh…he could’nt have been more than 9 or 10…sitting on a lawn tractor with that ‘big Josh grin’ on his face…waving. It made me smile. After the awful day we had, he still made me smile. So, that’s what I’m taking back to greenville with me, Josh’s smile. Thanks Josh. I’m glad I knew ya.
Mark (Alan) Hilt
There are no words to express our sorrow at your loss. We wish you strength and offer our thoughts and greatest sympathies to your family.
Eddie, Debbie, and Autumn,
There aren’t words to express how sorry I am about your loss. Josh has been a part of my family’s life for many years now; I was lucky enough to have spent many days with Josh over the years. Josh has made me realize how precious life is. You raised a fine young man. We will always treasure the many laughing moments we had with Josh. We will always keep him alive in our hearts. We will keep your family in our thoughts and prayers.
Every time I ran into Josh he had the biggest smile on my face. I pray that I can be that happy about life. You raised a fine son and he will be missed
I am very sorry to hear about the sudden loss of Josh. I hadn’t seen him for quiet some time, but I remember umpiring his baseball games when he was younger. I know he will be missed very much. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
My mother wathched josh and autum for a short time when we where younger. So I have few but fond memories of him. I will always remember him as a kind, adventuress, and free-spirited young man. We are deeply saddend by the death of josh.