Joshua Reidinger

On Sunday, December 1st, Joshua Layne Reidinger entered eternal life, having finished his race in this life after a lengthy journey with cancer. Josh was surrounded by family, friends, and the peace of Christ which surpasses all understanding.

Josh’s life was forever changed after confessing Jesus as his Lord and Savior. Nothing surpassed his love for Christ. His life could be summarized by the calling of Jesus’ Great Commandment, the essence of Gospel teaching: love God with your whole heart, and love your neighbor as yourself.

Josh married the love of his life and his best friend, Whitney (King), in 1999, and their life together has been a beautiful and powerful witness of the love of Christ for his Church. Their love for one another was steadfast and holy because it was a marriage where Christ was the center. For 25 years, their marriage has given family and friends a glimpse into the beauty of the Kingdom of God.

Josh was born to become a father. God blessed Josh and Whitney with three children—Ellen (21), Camille (18), and JC (10). Josh loved his children with his whole heart. Joy, life, laughter, and love poured out of Josh and these gifts he poured into his children.

In a life given to the service of so many, Josh loved, enjoyed, and served his family best of all. Josh is also survived by his parents, Larry and Jean Reidinger, whom he loved with complete devotion. He has been reunited with his brother, David, who preceded him in death in 2020. Numerous extended family members and friends as close as family mourn Josh’s passing and have been forever changed and enriched by the gift of his life in Christ.

Josh was not only a father within his family, he was a father figure and mentor to many. Whether in the local church, Birmingham ministries such as Young Life and Restoration Academy, or coaching Samford track and cross country, Josh invested in the future by investing in people, especially younger generations. His gifts of teaching, counsel, and wisdom will bear fruit in the Kingdom of God for many years to come.

God called Josh to a career in wealth management where he excelled, eventually becoming the CEO of Waverly Advisors. He found joy and purpose in his work, and he took on the attitude of a servant leader for his clients and employees. He saw his work in finance as an opportunity for ministry. In a life filled with personal and professional accomplishments, Josh always sought to glorify the Name of Jesus rather than his own name and looked to the needs of others before himself.

Throughout his life, Josh put on the character of his biblical namesake, becoming ‘strong and courageous’ (Joshua 1.9) in all things, and yet never more so than when he was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) in February 2024. Though he had known success as a collegiate athlete and later as a coach, Josh’s greatest race was taking up his cross as a spiritual athlete in the Kingdom of God. He ran this race with courage and humility, seeking to be faithful to Jesus amid great suffering. He lived by St. Paul’s words, “to live is Christ, to die is gain” (Philippians 1.21). Josh acquired patient endurance by trusting in the Lord’s strength throughout his cancer journey. He finished his race and now he receives the reward of eternal life with Christ.

A worship service to give thanks for Josh’s life in Christ will be held at Dawson Baptist Church (1114 Oxmoor Road, Birmingham, AL 35209) on Friday, December 6th, at 4 PM. The family wishes to honor Josh’s request that all who attend would forego wearing black because he wanted it to be more a time of rejoicing than of mourning. Instead, please come with a spirit of worship and thanksgiving.

There will not be an additional gathering to visit with the family before or after the worship service. In lieu of greetings in person, the family requests that you share any tributes, expressions of love and encouragement, or stories honoring Josh on his Caring Bridge page or the Ridouts Funeral Home obituary page. The Reidingers have read every message and encouraging word throughout Josh’s journey with cancer, and every message will be read and received with love and gratitude.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests gifts to be made in Josh’s memory to Restoration Academy or Birmingham Young Life