Joseph Lee Stravers

Joseph Lee Stravers was 41. He most recently resided at Montecito Post Acute Care & Rehabilitation in Mesa AZ. After a brief critical illness he passed on peacefully Monday, June 20th, 2016 at Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa, AZ of Sepsis.

•LIFE

Joe was born on February 27th, 1975 in Des Moines, IA. His parents were Jeri Lynn (Wilkins) Blackburn and Thomas Lee Stravers. He relocated to the Phoenix area with his mother when he was in grade school and he attended Tempe High School & Marcos DiNiza High School in Tempe, AZ and Vinton/Shellsburg High School in Vinton, IA where he graduated in 1993. He leaves behind many friends and fond memories from his high school years spent in Vinton, IA.

In August of 1999 Joe was in a severe motor vehicle accident in Iowa where he received multiple injuries, including TBI (Traumatic Brain Injuries). He was never married and never had any children. Joe had many jobs in his young life from selling nuts & bolts & screws to airline tickets. He was Mr. Personality and could sell you anything! Joe’s interests included all kinds of sports, arts & graphics, billiards, Nascar, he was known to gamble on just about anything (cards, dice and roulette) and he absolutely loved Las Vegas! He was especially fond of the time he spent touring with the pit crew on the NASCAR Supertruck series. Joe was super friendly, outgoing and personable and he had a wonderful sense of humor that remained with him throughout his life, despite everything he’d been through.

•FAMILY

Joseph is survived by his Mother Jeri Lynn Blackburn of Tempe, AZ , his Step Mother Judy Trygstad of Vinton, IA and his Grandmother Nancy Jane Brooks of Tempe, AZ. He is also survived by his Brother Jason Stravers (Krista) of Vinton, IA and his Sister Beckie Stravers of New York, NY. Also his Uncles James William Wilkins III (Julie) of Tempe, AZ, Dan Stravers (Marilyn) of Prairie City, IA, and Tim Stravers of Des Moines, IA along with Aunts Mary of Monroe, IA and Cindy of Des Moines, IA. Also surviving are his Nephews Jackson and Jordan Stravers of Vinton, IA and Cousins Renee Farnum of Tempe, AZ, Maggie and Sam of Prairie City, IA, Katie of Houston, Texas, Justin of Des Moines, IA and Michelle of Des Moines, IA and his lifelong family friend Brenda Applyard DeWitt of Bonner Springs, KS

Joe was preceded in death by his Father Thomas Lee Stravers of Vinton IA, his Grandparents James William Wilkins II of Des Moines IA, Donald Stravers of Prairie City, IA and Dorothy Ferguson, Uncle John Stravers and Great Uncle Wayne Tabor along with his Cousin Ben Stravers,

•SERVICES

There will be an intimate viewing for the immediate family on June 24th, 2016. Joseph will be cremated following the viewing. The Stravers family will be hosting a celebration of life in Vinton, Iowa at a later date, as yet to be determined.

Green Acres Mortuary & Cemetery in Scottsdale AZ is handling the funeral arrangements.

For further information please contact Jeri Blackburn.

Suggested memorial contributions ilo flowers would be to the Barrow Neurological Institute/Foundation at www.supportbarrow.org and “click” on the “Donate Now” button.

I personally would like to thank the following:

My Mother, Nancy Brooks for her years and years of love and support to both me and to Joe.

Brenda Appleyard-Dewitt for her unwavering support and caring for both myself and Joe since she started babysitting Joe when he was about 4 years-old.

Montecito Post Acute Care & Rehabilitation nursing staff and caregivers for the care they’ve given Joe over the past decade. I know he has many “friends” there that have truly grown to love him and will miss him dearly.

Banner Desert Medical Center Intensive Care Unit for their care and compassion they showed Joseph and my family during his final days

For this I am eternally grateful!

The winds that sometimes take something we love, are the same that bring us something we learn to love.” – Bob Marley

“Life is short, eat dessert first”! Joseph Lee Stravers