SPC. Joshua J. Wardi

Joshua John Wardi was born of Sudanese parents in Cairo, Egypt, and came to the US with his mother and two older siblings in April 2003. He was three years old when he began to make his transition to life in the US.

Growing up in America, he was a feisty, energetic boy who developed a special bond with his older brother Justin.

An Alumni of Taft High School in San Antonio Texas, Joshua was a serious student who excelled in sports. He played basketball, football, and soccer. Although the demands of sports and academia were plenty challenging, Joshua made time to serve on the committee of the school yearbook and mentor elementary school kids.

Within a year of graduation, Joshua joined the Army to serve his adopted country. He completed a tour in Afghanistan followed with a brief deployment to Kuwait. Within two years he was promoted three times.

Family and friends remember Joshua as a young man with a cheerful spirit, an engaging personality, spontaneous laughter, contagious smile, and a sense of humor. Some described him as a pure soul with a humble heart and a generous spirit. When confronted with conflict, Joshua’s natural instinct as peacemaker would often kick in.

At his home church, All Nations Praise and Worship Center, he is remembered as young man who feared God and loved the Word of God. Psalm 91 was his favorite scripture.

Joshua died as a victim of a violent crime on February 5, 2022, at the early age of 21. He had recently returned to the United States from valiant service in Afghanistan.

He is survived by his mother Rose Wani; Wardi family siblings: Latio Henry John, Umi Joy John, Edina Ngonga John, Vivian Aisha John, David Gale John, Kwaje Lilly John, Boboya Joseph John, Harrin Itiya John, Kade Josephine John, and Lemi Justin John. He is also survived by siblings Teresa Okot and Toni Okot. Joshua’s father, John Wardi of Sudan, preceded him in death one year ago.