UPDATE!

The memorial service will be Saturday, December 6th at 1pm down at Fisher Funeral Home in Albany. There will be a celebration of life following the service at Faith Lutheran Church. After the celebration, those of us who can will be heading down to Lucky's to party it up for Bubba. Please feel free to join us at any point.

 

Joshua Martin Mack

Nov. 6, 1981 — Nov. 26, 2008

Joshua Martin “Bubba” Mack, 27, of Albany died Wednesday at his home.

Joshua was born in Heerley, Netherlands, to John and Fawnette Mack. Joshua’s father was in the U.S. Army and was stationed in the Netherlands. The family returned to the United States in 1983, 18 months after Joshua’s birth. He then traveled with his family to duty stations in Germany and Oklahoma. Joshua’s father retired from the Army in 1996 and the family came to live in Oregon at that time. Joshua attended Stayton High for ninth grade and then went to South Albany High School for 10th and 11th grades. He graduated in February 2001 from South Albany High School.

After high school, Joshua became employed as a welder/fabricator, working for a number of different employers. On Nov. 2, 2004, Brookelyn Renee, Joshua’s daughter, was born. Joshua loved his daughter very much and enjoyed spending time with her.

In April of this year, Joshua was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS). This particular strain of ALS runs in his family and progresses very quickly. Joshua was working at the Stereo Store in Albany at the time of his diagnosis, and continued to work there until the disease progressed until he could no longer work. He fought a valiant fight against his prognosis but in the end, he went to be with his mother, who had died nine years earlier of ALS.

Joshua was loved by so many and will never be forgotten. He is survived by his father, John Mack of Albany; two sisters, Tonja Chrisman of Oklahoma and Teresa Lewellen of Albany; daughter Brookelyn, 4; eight aunts and uncles; five nieces and nephews; and lots of friends.

He was preceded in death by his mother; grandmother Wanda Felde, who died of ALS in 1979; and cousin Lance Cpl. Tyler J. Troyer, who died in 2005.

A visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Fisher Funeral Home, 306 Washington St. S.W., Albany. A celebration of life will be on Dec. 6. The time will be announced at a later date.

The family is requesting all friends and loved ones wear their “Never give up” T-shirts or sweatshirts for the memorial service. Also, casual dress is requested.

Memorial contributions may be made to the ALS Association in memory of Joshua Mack.

November 28, 2008 - DemocratHerald.com

Bubba, I love you kiddo! I will always make sure your nieces never forget you. Gabs will always a piece of you on her nose. HAHAHA! Remember when you were getting Poops a snack out of my pantry and Gabs was under your feet. That dang soup can couldn't just stay put. It had to fall and hit Gabs right on the nose. She cried so hard and there was so much blood. I couldn't believe you let me tell everyone you threw a soup can at her. Thank you for being the greatest uncle to my babies. They miss you so much! Jim kept his promise to you. He is home safe. He has been taking care of me since he's been here. I miss you so much! I just want to hear you say I love you again or even try to pick my nose. Cornbread, Dirty, Tyler, and Jared have all been there for me. I may have lost a brother but I think I gained three more. Till we meet again! Give Mommy a kiss and a hug for me! Always yours, Sissy

Hi, You don't know me but I was a friend of Josh's and just found out about his passing a couple of days ago. It's been a long time since I had seen or spoken to Josh but I really wanted to give my condolences and wish the family well; especially his little girl. The Josh I knew was a wonderful, funny person and I wish everyone luck and blessings. I think it's really great how you are posting information not only about his illness, but who he was. Gives people something positive to remember him by. I don't know how else to say that my High School years were a lot brighter because of him. He definitely brought laughter and optimism to my life at a time when we were all moody tenagers! People should know that he was one of the few young males that actually cared about their female friends enough to treat them respectfully and just be a genuine person. When his Mom died, you knew that it hit him really hard but he handled it with such strength that anyone would have admired him. All of us (friends) did. That's what I would really appreciate you letting people know. Thank you so much and hang in there! you're a great friend! ~Stacy Gartzke

Hi, I would love for Brookelyn to know just how sweet her daddy was. I had a class with Josh when he was a Junior in high school. This was the first time I'd met him since we has relatively new to South. At first he struck me as "a skater dude" because of the way he dressed. Really baggy jeans, a chain hanging from his pocket and lots of black! Over the course of the semester I came to realize just how caring and kind a person Josh was. He always had a positive attitude and if you ever had a bad day, he'd be ready to give you the biggest hug you've ever gotten! A bit of a flirt, a good listener and a genuinely sweet guy. Even though I only got to share one class with Josh, we remained friends throughout the rest of high school and anytime I would see him in or out of school he'd smile a great big smile and say hi. I am so sorry for the loss of your daddy, Brookelyn. Please remember that he's always with you in spirit...always. Emily (Lehto) Phillips

 

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