Josh as a Boy
Large for his age, full of life and action, humor and independence, Josh lived for the pursuit of fun and adventure. While having a penchant for getting into trouble, he had a deep love for family — especially his parents — and wasn’t shy about showing affection for them and his other family members, including his Grandma Sheri, whose waffles he craved on every visit. He was deeply loyal to his friends, too.
Despite a host of health issues from a young age, he loved sports. While he could be a handful for his teachers, he was good at math and, despite a reading-comprehension deficit, could write strong essays straight from his heart.
(Click on images for full frames.)
Age 3, climbing a hill to Stacie.
Age 3, hair blondish in the sun.
Age 4, a "little stinker" who liked trouble, according to his mother, Stacie.
Age 5, cowboying up.
Age 5, in the snow.
School photo.
Age 6, baseball card.
Age 6, tallest kid on his baseball team. His grandpa's company, Montoya Construction, sponsored the squad.
Age 6, youth hockey player.
Age 6, in a body cast after breaking a femur, which had a cyst on it.
In an arts T-shirt.
A member of the Cool Club.
With Tim.
Soccer player.
Age 8, full of the devil.
Teachers kept an eye on Josh.
Cub Scouts certificate, age 8.
Kenpo belt certificate, age 9.
With cousins Niki, Sasha, Meagan, 1992.
Class photo, fifth grade.
Josh was hired to work "security" in fifth grade, meaning getting kids out of the room and back from the playground during Outside Education class. He said he'd be good at the job, "Because I know the laws" and wanted the job, "Because it is fun."
Age 10, reading a birthday card with Tim.
Josh composed this poem in class, about his mother making sure he behaves.
Josh wrote this poem in class about his mother's good qualities.
Stacie Nana and 10-year-old Josh, bundled up for Alaska's cold in December 1993.
Age 11, with friends.
At 11, almost as tall as his mother.
A natural-born basketball center.
With his Grandpa Herb, 1994.
With his Step-grandma Kay Montoya, 1994.
Josh with Patrick Montoya's son, David, and Kevin Montoya's daughter, Ashley, 1995, in Alaska.
Dressed up, age 12, with Stacie.