Mom-

Dear Joe,

Having you as my youngest son for 37 years has enriched my life beyond measure. I have wonderful memories of a sweet little blonde boy who grew into a caring, thoughtful, funny and fun-loving guy. These memories will be treasured forever. Thank you for the joy and laughter you brought into my life and into the lives of so many. I love you Joe and will miss you dearly.

Love, Mom

Jon-

Losing Joe as a brother has left a void in my life. I lost not only a brother but my best friend. Even though I am a few years older than Joe, the age gap never seemed to have an effect on our bond.  I tended to seek out his companionship more than he sought out mine because I just enjoyed being with him. Joe somehow always managed to have a positive attitude about life and thinking back I can't remember a time where I've ever seen him unhappy.  He had a very laid back and easy going attitude and I enjoyed our conversations over a couple of pints or a stiff drink. He somehow had the gift to be a subject matter expert on so many different topics and was happy to share his latest life passions when we were together. Many of Joe's friends became my friends and I will always be thankful for this. Some of the passions we both shared: Both self admitted geeks (Firedog and Geeksquad), we both loved all things electronics, hiking in the mountains and walks outdoors, working out together and talking about fitness nutrition and trends, sipping on a good whiskey and bourbon, Tacoma Rainiers games, and many more.  I know he will be missed by his friends who knew him in his younger years in Tacoma, his roommates and friendships he formed in the Renton house, his very close-knit Multicare work family, and his large extended family and immediate family.  I am sad to lose him so soon but proud and blessed to have spent 37 years of my life with him. Joe had a good soul and I will deeply miss him.

Rachel-

I've never been able to speak of my childhood to someone without uttering Joe's name. Two years of age separated us. My little brother was the yin to my yang. Wherever I was, he was.

In his 37 years and my 39, I've yet to find another soul who could join me in laughter so hard food would shoot out of our noses. We had no shame as kids belting out The Sound of Music and Christmas tunes in July on our neighbor's swing set. We climbed trees, shared secrets, traded jokes, searched the grass for 4-leaf clovers and bugs, and went to band concerts together. We spent so much time together if one got sick, the other inadvertently did too…and we'd lie against each other on the couch watching David The Gnome sipping our grape juice, practicing our fake coughs as we slowly got better, wanting yet again another day home together. One thing is certain: he gave my childhood richness. We lived outside the touch of time for so many years.

Joe's laugh was contagious. His spirit, light. He was gentle, hilarious, and as calm and steady as the Mississippi.

You are a rare species, Joe. You made my childhood one of joy, adventure, music, and laughter. Your warm heart followed you to adulthood where you continued to bless the world with your intelligence, passion and kindness.

I couldn't be any more proud of who you grew into. No, it wasn't the gymnast you swore you'd become in 1992 while we watched the summer Olympics together, pretending we were participants jumping off our living room couch. You grew into so much more than that, a man who made a massive impact on me and everyone he knew. People come and go in our lives. But, you, my brother, will be in my heart for a lifetime. I'll miss our grown up adult Rainiers games and birthday beers. I'll miss feeling your massive arms wrap around me in a hug, calling me Rachie or Rachels (yes, that's plural!). Rest easy, Joe. And know without a doubt you're admired, respected, and loved to depths this sister of yours cannot begin to pen. A part of me has gone with you. Thank you for giving me the childhood of a lifetime. I love you.

Your big sis, Rachel

Annie-

Joe was my big brother, but the rest of the siblings younger brother. He always looked out for me as an older sibling would, but would playfully tease me on occasion.  From time to time you'd hear "Stop it Joe" or "shut up Joe, You'd know it was him giving me a hard time. There are so many good memories to fit into so few words. There are some  I can remember a lot. Like when he bought me my first actual computer, As bad as it was, he would still share his music playlist and then I would play songs over and over again but I couldn't remember him actually removing me off his playlist even it probably drove him crazy. Or the times he would let me play Grand Theft Auto if I cleaned his room, or just the times all us siblings played in the pool. Where we were just living in the moment. Just as kids do. Just having fun on those hot summer days.  But I think hardest thing for me is that I never thought I would say this I miss him teasing me. I'm going to miss it. Sure he would ignore me from time to time as we grew older, as you would expect from any older sibling. I'm still going to miss all that. Most of all I'm going to miss you Joe.  Love you big brother.