Joshua John Villarreal

BURIAL WILL BE AT Visalia District Cemetery A memorial tribute may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com NAME: Joshua Villarreal Jr. AGE: 15 RESIDENT OF: Visalia DATE OF DEATH: 3-26-2015 OCCUPATION: Student PLACE OF DEATH: Visalia Start story here Celebration of Joshua Villarreal, Jr. Joshua Villarreal, Jr. was born on February 26, 2000, in Visalia, California. Josh grew up in the country and attended Delta View, Pinkham Elementary and Divisadero Middle School. He was an honor roll student since the 4th grade. As an 8th grader, he was awarded Mathematician of the Year. He prepared himself for one of his lifetime goals of being a Pioneer and attend Mt. Whitney High School, to fulfill his dream of playing varsity football and wrestling for the varsity squad. Josh loved his family dearly. He always looked out for baby brother Eli, making sure to teach him how to be a better boy. He took advice from his older brother Andrew and looked up to him as a mentor. He loved his protective and loving older sister Kimmy, as he called her “mother hen”. Josh especially loved his baby niece Aulani, which he lovingly called “baby girl”. Josh loved to visit Grandma and Grandpa Pena, and especially loved having breakfast with them which included homemade tortillas. Josh also loved to visit with Grandma Gloria and Grandpa John where he was always seeking spiritual advice from Grandpa John and listening to Christian music while getting closer to the Lord. Josh excelled in athletics. Since he was 8 years old, he has been an All-Star football player, establishing himself as one the best defensive backs for his age group. Josh's relentless pursuit of perfection earned him the nickname "Mad Dog". He gave 100% in everything he did from the classroom to the playing field and was an inspiration to his peers. In 2014, Josh entered the Youth Wrestling Valley Championship to face an opponent that had defeated him three different times before the championship match. Josh trained and trained for this championship match knowing he would face an opponent that he had yet to defeat. After the third round, the score was tied and they battled into triple overtime. Josh was able to hold his opponent from escaping to secure the win and the valley championship. This was further proof that Josh realized hard work pays off and you can accomplish anything when you set your mind to it. Days after the victory, Josh learned that the Mt. Whitney Varsity wrestling coach was securing a spot for Josh on the varsity wrestling team. Once Josh was diagnosed with cancer in the summer of 2014, it was evident that Josh would be an inspiration to others on how to deal with this disease. The decision was made to allow the public and social media to enter into Josh's life so that people could experience and participate in his journey to fight against his illness. Josh generated an extraordinary amount of support from family, friends, the public, and professional athletes. This outpouring of support allowed Joshua to attend the 2015 Rose Bowl to watch his favorite college football team, the Oregon Ducks. Most people know that Josh was a Raiders fan, and every Sunday he was committed to watching their games with his dad. This past season Josh was able to visit Oakland for multiple games and meet Derek Carr. Josh said that meeting Derek Carr and having them pray together was one of the best days of his life. Throughout his journey, Josh did his best to make others around him enjoy themselves and he was ready with a smile to offer a joke or pull a prank on you. Josh's smile was contagious, and if you were not having the best day, he could still make you smile. The word love meant something to Josh, and he did his best to spread his love to his family and friends. Josh was a very determined young man, but through this determination, he expressed himself with kindness and laughter. Although Josh's journey came to early end, he never gave up. He faced his illness with tenacity and was determined to win this battle. His doctors and nurses were impressed with this full steam ahead approach but doing it respectfully and with a sense of humor. Josh understood the nature and extent of his disease and he prepared himself physically and spiritually. During a moment of reflection, Josh shared that if there was one person, past or present, he could meet it would be Jesus. As Josh's life reached overtime and came to end on March 26, 2015, it is clear that he did win as he is now with our Lord and Savior with no more pain and suffering. He can now always smile and joke around for eternity. Josh is survived by his parents, Joshua, Sr. and Lorina Villarreal, brothers Andrew and Eli, sister Kimberly, paternal grandparents Pastor John and Gloria Villarreal, maternal grandparents Monses and Cruz Pena, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and a niece. Thank you to all of you who helped fundraise, extended your kindness in numerous ways, and supported the family throughout Joshua's journey. God knows who you are and the good deeds you did for our beloved child. SURVIVED BY; PRECEDED IN DEATH BY; VISITATION WILL BEGIN Thursday, April 2, 2015 at Salser and Dillard Funeral Chapel from 4 PM to 7 PM SERVICES: A funeral service will be held Friday April 3, 2015 at Grace Community Church 424 N. Lovers lane Visalia, Ca. at 9 AM

Joshua John Villarreal

February 26, 2000 - March 26, 2015