Joshua David Fritz was born on January 28, 1981, in Muskogee, OK, the son of Robert Emerson Fritz and Linda Sue (Sorkin) Fritz-Gonzalez. He grew up with brothers, Jerry, Jason, Matt, and sister Rachael, and also had a half brother and half sister, Robert and Jayne. He grew up in Muskogee, and loved playing sports, especially basketball and collecting Sports Cards of various sporting legends. In 2005, he met Merle Omega Welch, or “Cate” as he affectionately called her. They were married May 30th, 2012 in Oktaha, OK, in Merle’s grandparents home. Together they raised a family and made plans for their future. They loved time spent together just enjoying the day. He worked as a field technician in the construction industry for Cook and Associates Engineering, testing the soil and concrete to make sure everything met the rigorous standards required. When he was home, his adored daughter Libby and son Axel kept his mind and thoughts occupied and spending time with them was his greatest joy. He loved taking them outdoors and playing board games. He was funny with a wonderful sense of humor. He was understanding and supportive, always there to listen or give advice. For all the plans he had in his life, the Lord called this wonderful son, brother, husband, father and friend home from his many labors, following a brief battle with cancer, on April 30th, 2025, at the home he shared with those he loved by his side. He was 44 years old and will be greatly missed.
Joshua is preceded in death by his grandparents, Albert and Rosalyn Sorkin and his father.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Merle Welch-Fritz of the home and his children, Libby Fritz of Tahlequah, OK and Axel of the home in Tahlequah. He leaves his mother, Linda Gonzalez of Muskogee, OK, as well as his brothers and sisters, Robert Fritz Jr and husband Mark of Georgia, Jerry Fritz of Muskogee, Jason Fritz and wife Keli of Broken Arrow, OK, Rachael Streeter of Florida, Matt Fritz of Georgia, and Jayne Bacino of Florida. He also leaves many nieces, nephews, cousins and co-workers too numerous to mention.
Graveside services for Joshua David Fritz will be conducted at Green Hill Cemetery in Muskogee on Monday, May 5th, 2025 at 11:00 AM with Pastor Kelly Durant officiating. His family will receive visitors on Friday, May 2nd, 2025 from 1:00 pm until 6:00 pm at Reed-Culver Funeral Home. He will be laid to rest at Green Hill Cemetery in Muskogee, OK, in the family section.
Pallbearers for Joshua include Jerry Fritz, Jason Fritz, Ernesto Rodriguez, Randy Wilson, Jaymz Streeter, and Billy Welch. Honorary pallbearers include his children, Libby Fritz and Axel Fritz, Shelby Jackson, Mike Richardson, Terry McGillivray, Johnny Merrell, Justin Phillips, Mike Walters, and Colby Wilson.
