2nd Lt. Joshua Alejandro Escobedo

Joshua was a beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, Marine, and friend. Twenty-four years was nowhere near enough time with him, but anyone fortunate enough to know Joshua knows he managed to pack an incredible amount of life, laughter, and unforgettable memories into those years.

Joshua was a proud graduate of the United States Naval Academy Class of 2025 and a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. His accomplishments were nothing short of remarkable and reflected the determination, intelligence, and fearless spirit that defined him. He never backed down from a challenge, and when Joshua set his mind to something, there was very little that could stand in his way.

But as impressive as his accomplishments were, they were only a small part of what made Joshua so special.

Joshua was one of those rare people who could be the smartest person in the room and, five minutes later, have everyone questioning how someone so intelligent could possibly do something so ridiculous. He had an incredible mind, a quick wit, and a sense of humor that could turn even the most ordinary day into a story worth telling.

He was outgoing, confident, adventurous, and never seemed to meet a stranger. Joshua had a way of making people laugh, sometimes without even trying, and his personality was impossible to overlook. He wasn’t afraid to speak his mind, take a chance, or tackle something that others might have thought impossible. Whether he was accomplishing something extraordinary or finding himself in a situation that left his family shaking their heads, Joshua always gave everyone something to talk about.

And that was Joshua. Brilliant, hilarious, determined, occasionally a little too confident for his own good, and completely unforgettable.

Behind the jokes, the accomplishments, and that larger-than-life personality was a young man who meant the world to his family. He was someone they were incredibly proud of, someone they could count on for a laugh, and someone whose presence made life a little more interesting and a whole lot more special.

Joshua leaves behind his loving mother, Christine Ransier; his sister, Sophie Contreras; his stepfather, Treye Ransier; and Steve Contreras, who was an influential father figure throughout Joshua’s childhood and remained an important part of his life as he grew older.

He is also survived by his beloved grandparents, Hope Southwell, affectionately known as “Grammies,” and Steve and Sheryl Southwell; along with his stepsiblings, Audrey Cox, Hailey Ransier, and Harry Ransier IV.

Joshua will be deeply missed by his aunts and uncles, William and Ashley Southwell, Stephanie and Ronald Jaure, and Jamie and Brandon Smith.

He also leaves behind his cousins, Frankie Garza and his wife, Crystal; Kaylee Garza; Garrett Jaure; Briley and Gunner Southwell; Aiden, Carson, and Jaxon Smith; Alexis Owen and her husband, Josh; and Jareth Garza, along with many extended family members, fellow Marines, Naval Academy classmates, and countless friends who were blessed to know him.

For Joshua’s mother, Christine, there are simply no words that can describe the heartbreak of losing her son. From the moment he entered this world, he held a place in her heart that no one else could ever fill. She watched him grow from a little boy full of personality into a young man of strength, intelligence, and extraordinary promise. She celebrated his accomplishments, worried about his adventures, laughed at his antics, and loved him through every moment of his life. That love does not end here. It will remain with her always, just as Joshua will forever remain her little boy.

There is so much about Joshua that will be missed. His laugh. His quick comebacks. His confidence. The phone calls, the conversations, the unexpected adventures, and the stories that somehow always seemed to follow him.

We will miss the young man he was, but we will also grieve the man he was still becoming. There were so many milestones yet to celebrate, so many memories left to make, and so much life ahead of him.

Yet even in our heartbreak, we know that Joshua would not want to be remembered only with sadness. He gave us far too many reasons to laugh for that. His family and friends will continue telling his stories, laughing at the things he did, celebrating the things he accomplished, and probably shaking their heads at a few of his decisions for years to come.

And in those moments, Joshua will still be right there with us.

Twenty-four years will never feel like enough. We would give anything for one more conversation, one more laugh, one more hug, or just one more chance to tell him how much he meant to us.

But what a privilege it was to love him. What an honor it was to watch him grow. And what a blessing it was to call him our son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, and friend.

Joshua, we were so proud of the man you became, and we will forever wonder about all the incredible things you still would have done.

You made us laugh. You made us proud. You made life unforgettable.

And you will always, always be loved.

Forever 24. Forever our Marine. Forever in our hearts.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28

A visitation will be held on Friday Oct.. 23, 2026 from 4p-8pm at Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home in Burnet. Funeral service will then be held on Saturday Oct. 24, 2026 at Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home-Burnet.