SSG Joshua Brandon Farnsworth ~ Farewell and Walk with God
Josh & Eesau In Iraq
Joshua Brandon Farnsworth
On July 3rd 2007, Staff Sergeant Joshua Brandon Farnsworth, 32, was taken by the angels at his residence. Josh was an explosive military working dog handler in the United States Air Force at Fairchild AFB, Washington and also served in the United States Marine Corps as Military Police at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and Okinawa, Japan.
He served overseas in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qutar, and two tours in Iraq and received over a dozen awards. Josh was born in Medford, Oregon and was a 1992 graduate of North Medford High School.
Josh was somebody you could never forget after meeting once. He had the most amazing ability to make someone laugh. He had a perfect ability to teach people. Josh was a friend to all and a hero to many. The Air Force has lost a valued member, his friends have lost a cherished friend, and his family has lost a piece of their hearts.
Josh is survived by his wife, Laura Farnsworth of Spokane, Washington; his daughter Bryden Farnsworth, of Bend, Oregon; his mother Rhonda Farnsworth, of Bend, Oregon; his father Don Wilson, of Beaverton, Oregon; his step-father Thom Farnsworth, of Bend, Oregon; his sister Sarah Farnsworth, of Medford, Oregon, his sister Vanessa Farnsworth, of Bend, Oregon; his brother, Victor Farnsworth, of Bend, Oregon; his brother Brian Farnsworth, of Bend, Oregon; his nephew Noah, of Medford, Oregon; and his military working dog, Eesau.
Josh's funeral service was held at Fairchild Air Force Base Chapel earlier this week.
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We helped support Josh and his team while they were in Iraq. His death is not only a shock, but fills us with great grief. Our prayers are with his family and friends at this difficult time.
19 comments:
I lost my son, Brandon Farnsworth on 2/25/07, at the age of 22. He didn't have the honor of serving our country and my only connection to Josh is by name association. My prayers go out to his family as well as all of our military who have lost thier lives for our country!
Sherry~
I am so sorry for the loss of your Brandon... You are in our prayers.
I knew Josh from K9 school. He was a great Marine. Even though he was air force at the time, once a Marine, Always a Marine. He will not be forgotten. My prayers and sympathies go out to the family and his daughter.
Chris Green
Cpl USMC K9
After I heard of him passing away, I really felt a sense of sadness. When I first moved to Medford Oregon from Los Angeles, Josh befriended me. He was a pretty popular kid (especially with the ladies) and he had a charm about him. Our friendship was on and off throughout Junior High School. In High School; we really where more of acquaintances then anything. We connected again after graduation. I started working at the Jacksonville Inn as a server. Josh worked in the kitchen and we would always give each other crap about various things (in good humor). The last time I spoke to Josh was when he borrowed $40 from me. My new wife was so mad because we needed the money. Shortly thereafter, he quit and that was the last thing I every heard from him.
The cool thing is this: Josh made an impression in my life, all of which I can honestly say was good. I remember him as clearly as when we first met; sitting in the 6th grade classroom. I was so nervous and he was so abuzz with life talking to all the classmates. I remember the team that he was busted by Mr. Gorky in Lone Pine for the kissing contests underneath the library. Even during boy scouts, we had good times up through varies encounters till we parted in the early 90’s.
You will be remembered friend. See you on the other side.
Gary~
Thank you for sharing your memories of dear Josh...
Memories and tributes to Josh, such as Chris' and Gary's, are welcome here.
I had the honor and the priveledge of woking with Josh years ago, he will be sorely missed.
Joshua will never be forgotten. He will have a place in my heart forever. There is not a man out there like him. There was not a more devoted friend and K-9 handler. He is deeply missed.
I'll see you on the other side...you got off easy...I should have found you sooner.....
I still miss him everyday....his daughter is doing well & our family is still taking it day by day. You are still my hero big Bro!
I love you bro, Ill never forget the day you left for mcrd san diego. And then after seeing you graduate form there. Some how I knew deep down I would one day follow you in your footsteps. i achieved that goal this year. And everytime colors sound I look up at the sky, and remember...Sleep well brother...
-PFC Farnsworth United States Marine Corps-2008
PFC Farnsworth~
I am sure Josh is smiling down at you... Congratulations and Thank You.
I want to inform people Josh and something no one else knows but me. Josh saved the life of an Iraqi civilian 13 August 2004 on MSR Mobile, Fallujah, Iraq.
I was the driver and he was my "A-driver" (front passenger seat). We were heavily ambushed from the driver's side. Because we were in a convoy with 4 LAVs and 1 other HMMWV behind us, we were the main focus of the attack because we were the softest target. Not to mention dog handlers had a $15k bounty for their death at the time.
Josh remained cool, calm and collected. While I had to stop the vehicle to prevent from being hit by 2 RPGs, Josh never lost sight of the total environment. A lot of civilians were stuck in the kill zone. Josh had the ability to see a civilian I was heading towards as I was manuvering. He warned me and ensured I missed the civilian.
Not only that but he also reloaded my weapon for me when I ran dry and climbed into the back of the HMMWV so he could return fire.
Josh did one helluva job that day and several other days while we were there.
Some people didn't like Josh but I got to see the true man. I don't say positive things about people just because they passed away, I say only what is true...and Josh was a brave man and will be sorely missed.
Sorry Josh I couldn't be your wingman on July 3rd 2007. I pray God is with your family. I miss you brother.
Anon -
Thank you for sharing your story with us... God Bless.
Bryden googled her Dad today. This is the page she came to. Clearly it's time to adjust the parental controls on this thing. It's all happening so fast! I loved reading some of the comments on here again, one in particular. Bottom line Josh, we wish you were still a part of THIS life.
At least Bryden can see how many people loved Josh.... That is a good memory for her.
Josh was one of the first people I met when I arrived at my first duty station, Fairchild AFB. I wanted to be a MWD handler, and he had plenty of stories to share. We were friends and I still think about him often. Like his daughter, I found this page using "google". To this day I still wish I could have done something to change the outcome of July 3rd....
Rest in peace, Josh. gone but not forgotten.
To Anonymous - the reason I have comment moderation is to prevent that debate on a tribute page. I've heard several sides and I don't give a damn about it. I published the obituary that the family gave the papers. I will post any positive comments. But, I will not allow your comment.
I miss my friend Josh, and we don't need to rehash things NONE of us know that much about.
I still miss you buddy! Not a day goes by. I hope you are good. 4 years. I wish you were still here so I could joke with you and remind you of how old you are getting. :) I'll keep missing you all the days of my life. You were a great friend. I hope you are able to watch us all from above. We all miss you! Your friend,
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