We knew this day would come and it has been one of our family’s toughest days.
Many of you have watched in awe the stamina our family has endured over the past 81/2 years. You will recall on October 15, 2015 that Joshua Sutton Sr. was taken from us and those who loved him dearly. Taken in the sense of not being able to speak to any of us, to feed himself, to breathe on his own, and to care for his own personal needs. We as his family had to endure this loss with him. This was an INSTANT battle for Josh and he has been medically fragile since, that date.
Josh NEVER returned to himself in any manner. Josh was NOT the same Josh who smiled at his children ~Vivi, now 19, Jakyah now 16, and Josh Jr now 15. Who played cards with cousins, who watched his kids play sports, who taught Lil Josh to shoot hoops in the back yard, who put up the swing set in the back yard, who loved to fish and cook BBQ, who gave all the kids airplane rides at the end of his long arms, who gave rides high up on his 6’4 frame and shoulders. Josh was NOT the same person and these are things that will never happen again.
Josh loved fishing, basketball, playing with his nieces and nephews, and spending time with his family. Whenever you needed him, he was always there.
Over the past several months Josh’s health deteriorated on a more rapid decline. We as a family met with his excellent medical team and each time we visited Josh we noticed this decline. He had lost a huge amount of weight and his feeding tube was not sustainable any more.
On April 7th 2024 it was with deep sadness that we as a family were told that Josh passed away peacefully. A lot of tears have been shed. Please continue to lift our family up in prayer as you have in the past.
Those left to cherish his memory are his parents, Jack (Karla) Smith and Essie Diane Sutton; special love, Angela Hess; children, Vivi, Jakyah, and Josh, Jr.; grandma, Betty Budman; sisters, Lisa Hicks-Sutton, Tara Tamka (Ben), Angie (Corey), and Jackie (Anothey); step-sister, Jacqueline Smith; brothers, Joseph (Jessica) Sutton and Jonathan Sutton; and step-brothers, Bob Sutton, Dwayne Sutton, and Freddie Richard.
Josh’s funeral will be 2:00pm Friday, April 26, 2024 at the Runge Mortuary & Crematory Davenport, IA. There will be a time of sharing for family & friends 12:00pm to 2:00pm Friday at the mortuary. There will be a repass at 5:00 p.m. at the American Legion, 702 W. 35th St. Davenport, IA. The family is asking for loving contributions to go to Angela to help cover Josh’s final expenses. Condolences may be shared at www.rungemortuary.com.
