This memorial website was created in the memory of our loved one, Joshua Bourgeous who was born in California on August 20, 1977 and passed away on January 12, 2003 at the age of 25. We will remember him forever.
In January of 2002 Josh was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, A rare cancer, found mostly in children. He had been visiting many doctors for a few months trying to find a cure or source for his ever worsening back pain. By the time he was actually diagnosed, He was already stage four, and in critical shape. The cancer had invaded his body. Josh was determined to beat it though, and gave it his all, for one whole year, before the cancer finally won.
Josh left behind a host of family and friends who love and miss him dearly. He was growing up to be such a wonderful man. He was taken from us way too soon.
As you experince Josh's memorial, please feel free to offer your memories, thoughts or prayers, and to light a candle in his remembrance. Also Please visit his brother, Ryan's site at http://ryan-bourgeous.memory-of.com
My Big Brother / Kelli (sister)
Josh, it still does not seem possible that you are no longer here with us. It feels like just yesterday you and Ryan were making fun of big pregnant belly and all the "gravy" talk you guys did {which by the way I never really understood, And No...
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HOOT / Kathy (MOM)
A year ago today your brother joined you my heart aches for both of you but in different ways. Hoot the year I spent taking care of you was the best and the worst year of my life. Even though I was at your side talking to you when your spirit left yo...
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My Promise / Jenny (Companion)
I will always love you. I will always be your girl. I will always miss u -everyday. I will always listen for your voice. I will always hear your laugh amoung others. I will always dream of our travels. I will alway...
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Memorial for you / For Josh
In may 2006 a room at the McCreery Cancer Center in Ottumwa, IA, was dedicated in memory of Josh. This was made possible by his cousin Brandon, and his wife lisa. Outsaid the room is a plaque with is name, and picture. I it absolute...
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poem / Kelli (Sister)
If tears could build a stairwayAnd memories a laneI'd walk right up to heavenand bring you home again
When josh was just a wee little guy, probably around age 3, he informed our mother that he did not want to be called Josh, He wanted to change his name. So mom said, Ok, I'll just call you hootanany. And that she did. Even as he became a grown man, he was still referred to often as hoot. About the same age of his "name change" Josh had a very strange habit. As do most children Josh had something he just had to have to sleep at night, a "cuddle buddy", Except his wasn't a stuffed animal or a blanket, it was a red plastic toolbox. And he had to have it. Would not sleep with out it.
His personality was contagious I will never forget when Josh played snoopy in his sixth grade christmas play, As if being dressed like adog, and sitting on a dog house wasn't enough, If you looked closely you would see that the newspaper he was holding was the Meat ads from the local grocery store. It was so funny, and that was exactly who Josh was. To know Josh was to love him. He was very much a people person, (and very organized, unlike every other member of our family). He had a way to make you smile, without even trying. He lit up every room he was in. Josh excelled in wrestling in school, He was given the name "Bougar" by his jr. high football coach, and the name stuck from then on.
His namesake When I found out in June 2004 that I was expecting anopther child, We all instantly knew we would have to name him or her in some way after Josh. On January 4, 2005, The newest addition to our family, Joshua Ryker Robertson arrived. We had every intention of calling him by his middle name, but once we saw his face, there was no doubt, He was a joshua. Baby Joshy is now 11 months old, and the spitting image of his uncle. Somedays I can't help but wonder if This little guy was meant to belong to Josh, But he got called back to heaven before he had the chance to be a dad. Baby Josh is quite a handful and I have no doubt that is because when he was in heaven waiting to be born, his Uncle was telling him all kinds of things to do to torment his mother!!!!
Tributes and Condolences
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