Obituary of Joshua Churchwell

Joshua Oakes Churchwell was born March 1st, 1994 in Hartford, Connecticut to Tammy Fernandez and Luis Rivera. He was adopted by Bob and Jan Churchwell on October 13th, 2000. His body was discovered April 1st, 2011. Josh accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior through teachings at the Evangelical Free Church. The last time Jan visited Josh he told her he could feel God’s presence and that God was watching over him as he ran through the hills during his physical training at Ridge View Academy. Josh lived and loved life in his own special way. Some of the things he enjoyed doing were participating in the Burlington Middle and High school bands, wrestling, practical jokes, laughter, and his critters. Josh found real satisfaction and joy in being reunited with his biological family a few years ago, allowing them to be a part of his life while being part of their lives as well. One special Sunday, Josh informed Jan she would need to have plenty of hamburgers and hotdogs to grill that day, as he had invited his entire biological family for a barbeque. Jan contacted Tammy by phone and it was verified that they were on their way. That was the fastest party that the Churchwell’s ever organized and Josh was silently laughing through the whole event. Josh was found standing at the curb of the middle school one afternoon after calling Bob to pick him up from football practice. When Bob arrived, he noticed the football team still in their workout. Upon questioning Josh why he did not go to practice, he informed his dad that he did go. Bob pointed to the field and asked, “Do you think I’m stupid?” Josh said, “I had to leave practice early for a job interview.” Bob quizzed him on his new adventure, suggesting to him nobody would hire him at his age. Josh informed Bob that he was to report to work the following day at McDonalds. That job was one of the longest and most successful events of Josh’s life. He was very proud of that accomplishment. At one of the facilities, Josh’s leadership skills really blossomed. His instructors shared with Bob and Jan that he had the ability to convince several fellow classmates, whom had been there much longer than Josh and had never run before, that it would be a good idea to run with him. And they did. On these runs, he gave his parents cultural experiences, as they would go to many new places to pick up the tab and thank proprietors for keeping him safe until he could be picked up. Brandy remembers that Josh would always have secrets. He would ask if she could keep his secrets. She said, “Yes, but it will cost you.” So he gave her 3 bucks a secret but he never learned his lesson because she always told on him anyway. He told her he would hit her, but he had a good heart and never did. More than anything Josh loved his freedom. He fought for it everyday of his life. And now he has received that freedom. He is survived by his parents Bob and Jan, his siblings Clint and Fiance’ Jaime Pavelich of Bennett, CO, Ryan and his wife Raelyn of Norman, OK, Raelyn and husband Will Sparks of Aurora,CO, Stan and wife Anne of McCook NE, April and husband Aaron Saxton of Norfolk, NE, Lesley and husband Shawn Stunkel of Norfolk, Ne, Isaiah of CSU- Pueblo, Sarah, Brandy, and Avery of Burlington, CO, his maternal grandmother Shirley Zogg of Burlington, CO, his biological mother Tammy Fernandez of Aurora, CO, six siblings, and a host of uncles, aunts, nieces, and nephews. He is preceded in death by his grandfather Norman Zogg and grandparents Richard and Viola Churchwell.