Joshua James Kirk

Joshua James Kirk lived his life at full throttle, embracing every challenge, every adventure, and every opportunity to help those around him. Born on April 14, 1980, Josh grew up with a sharp mind, a tireless work ethic, and a heart full of generosity.

Josh worked his way up to become a Chief Engineer at Raytheon, achieving his dream early through determination, brilliance, and a gift for solving the unsolvable. His coworkers often joked that “he was always right and he knew it,” a testament not just to his expertise, but to the confidence and passion he brought to everything he touched.

His professional success was only one of the remarkable aspects of who he was. When he wasn’t creating solutions, Josh was building memories. He was happiest in the skies, whether piloting his own Cessna plane, flying remote-controlled airplanes as Vice President of his RC club, or encouraging friends and family to take to the air with him. He loved to explore, to teach, and to push boundaries, never saying no to a new adventure whether it was skydiving, captaining a boat, hiking, motorcycling, or trying something just because it sounded exciting.

Josh was always the person you could count on to fix anything: a car, a house, a complicated math problem. His hands were always busy with a new project and his heart was always open to making life easier for the people he loved. His love language was not just words, but actions; he showed love through the things he fixed, the advice he gave, and the time he devoted to those around him.

Above all, Josh’s greatest pride was his family. He leaves behind two children, Dakota and Ryan Trae, who carry forward his love of learning, exploration, and kindness, as well as his wife of 24 years, five siblings, his parents, and countless friends and coworkers who saw him not just as a colleague, but as a brother.

Those who knew Josh knew a man who lived wide open, who threw the best parties, fixed the toughest problems, lifted others up, and believed life was meant to be explored. His legacy will live on in every plane that takes flight, every project completed with love, and every life made better by his kindness.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor Josh’s memory by embracing new adventures, helping someone in need, or simply taking a moment to look up at the sky he loved so much.

At the family's request, services will be private.