Josh Eric Bailey

Joshua “Josh” Eric Bailey, 43, of Fort Collins died Friday morning, March 4, 2016, at Poudre Valley Hospital. Josh was born in Des Moines, Iowa, on February 21, 1973. In July of that year, he and his adoptive parents, Ray and Virginia, and sister moved to Fort Collins, where he has been a resident since. Josh graduated from Poudre High School in January 1993. He took some courses at Front Range Community College and at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, Minnesota. Josh held various jobs throughout his life, the common denominator being the relationships he built with co-workers, friends, and family. Whether it be driving for deliveries, assisting with plumbing, selling clothes, maintaining city parks, or helping on a family farm in North Dakota. During his lifetime, Josh was an avid sports fan, especially following football, car racing, and sports talk radio shows. He was not shy about expressing his views on sports or other topics, especially politics. He had a gift of being able to talk to anyone. And, on occasion, he would “egg on” the conversation just to get a rise out of one. Clearly, he interacted with and was loved by many…friends, family, young, old…and returned that love. Even though Josh experienced congenital and other health issues, he met these challenges with a positive attitude. As he often said, “it is what it is”. May God bless Josh and our memories of him. He will be missed, but the stories will continue. Hug someone close. Survivors include his dad and stepmom, Ray and Martha Maakestad Bailey of Fort Collins; sister Angela (Jeff) Nasstrom of Osage, Iowa, and his nieces Lauren, Erica, and Bailey, and nephew Carson of Osage; as well as many cousins and uncles and aunts. Josh was predeceased by his mom, Virginia Olson Bailey. A memorial service for Josh will be held at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 1200 S. Taft Hill Road, Ft. Collins, this Tuesday, March 8, at 11 a.m. All are invited and welcome…casual dress encouraged. Following the service, there will be a gathering in the Fellowship Hall for sharing of food and stories. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a memorial contribution to a charity of your choice or to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church.

Tributes

Josh Eric Bailey

February 21, 1973 - March 4, 2016