Josh Pierce
Submitted by: C. McDannel
Born: 1986
Died: 2014
My Tribute: Josh Pierce, age 27, was born in August 1986 and transitioned in April 2014 as the result of heroin toxicity.
Josh was my only child and I will always long for his warm hearted touch, deep conversations, beautiful smile, infectious laugh, and great big bear hugs.
He was an intelligent man with a variety of interests and hobbies. He had a witty sense of humor and could make me laugh regardless of how I felt. Josh was highly creative and seemed to be able to accomplish whatever he put his mind to.
Josh enjoyed reading so he taught himself to read at 4 years old. When he was 12 years old he wanted to play guitar so he taught himself that, too. Josh had an interest and special talent for fixing and building computers and he learned he could make a living at it, too, so he began his education in computer science.
After Josh graduated high school he attended technical and county college focusing on computer science. He had earned his A+ Certification with an above average score. He had been employed as a Network Technician at local computer and network repair business.
Throughout his shortened journey his fearless and passionate personality seemed to drive him to excel but that drive also steered him towards making a lot of bad decisions that involved experimenting with alcohol and drugs at a young age. His struggles with substance use disorder and recovery attempts included residential treatment for the diagnoses of bipolar.
Josh’s addiction to opiates, and subsequently heroin, did not become evident until he had experienced a near fatal overdose in December of 2013. For the next 4 months we remained vigilant, supportive, and hopeful that his attempts at treatment and recovery would be successful but he lost the battle.
Grieving the loss of a child, at any age, is one of life’s toughest journeys but grieving the loss of an only child is beyond my comprehension. I can only hope and pray that the lives lived and lost to this disease are “testament to a higher cause all for the greatest good of the many”.
Josh, you are always on my mind, in my heart and in my soul. I love you forever and always to infinity and beyond ~Mom
