Joshua Lee Chase Martin, age 33, of Columbus, passed away unexpectedly on Sept. 19, 2016.
Josh came into this world on June 15, 1983. Born the jubilant son of Daniel Wayne Martin and Sherry Linette Martin (Reeser), Josh was a fun loving kid with an innate passion that was known by his family early on. That passion was sports, and he fell in love with anything that involved a ball.
At the young age of 2, he would sit and attentively watch high school basketball games with his family. By the age of 7, he was keeping detailed scorecards of his favorite teams. Josh, even though he did not care for soccer, played for a few years until he was old enough for football. His reason was he didn’t want to be without a ball and a team to play with.
His love for sports followed him throughout his life, especially in his adolescent years. Josh graduated from Circleville High School in 2001, and by the time he graduated he had made varsity for the football, basketball and baseball teams.
He attended Wilmington College for two years on a baseball scholarship. Josh continued to be an asset to Circleville City Schools as he coached basketball for three victorious years. He loved kids, and he loved to teach children valuable skills in athletics.
Josh would work for Acorn Distributors for 11 years, enjoying working with his father. In his free time, he loved being part of his softball league, playing with his best friends and often winning.
Joshua was so full of life, and he was able to put a smile on anyone’s face. His loss is a tragic blow to those who knew him.
Josh is preceded in death by his grandfather, Donald Eldridge; and his uncle, Paul Doersam.
Left to mourn his passing are his loving parents, Sherry (Luke) and Dan (Mary); his adoring sisters, Jessica (Dustin) Redman and Jordan (Jacob) Vangundy; and his nephews, or his “little dudes,” Carson Redman, Hayden Redman, Harper Redman and Wyatt VanGundy. Josh loved those boys dearly, and those boys adored their Uncle Josh. Also mourning the loss of this young man are his beloved grandparents, Linda Martin and Bob and Jo Reeser; as well as his Aunt Michele (Ted) Morse; and five close cousins. Josh will be especially missed by his brothers from Xtreme Softball, who were there for Josh and continue to be there for his family, as well as many close friends. His girlfriend Angel Runion and her son Dom Turner, whom Josh raised as his own, will also miss Joshua dearly.
Josh was a ball of light for those around him, and his good nature and positivity are summed up in one of his favorite quotes: “You make your own luck.”
Arrangements have been entrusted to Defenbaugh-Wise Schoedinger funeral home. Visitation was held at the funeral home, located on 151 E. Main St., Circleville, on Tuesday Sept. 27, 2016, with calling hours from 1 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral Services were held at First Church, located at 436 E. Ohio St., Circleville, at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2016, with Pastor Jay Neff officiating.
Please visit www.schoedinger.com to leave a personal message or memory for the family.
This article originally appeared on The Pickaway News Journal
