Joshua D. Spielman

Name: Joshua D. Spielman

Year of Birth: September 15, 1998

Place of Birth: Red Lodge, MT

Date of Death: May 22, 2020

Parents Names: Anne Stotts and Jesse Spielman

Josh attended Cherry Creek schools and was a proud 2017 graduate of Cherry Creek High School in Greenwood Village, CO. He spent two years in middle school in Casper, WY. He was currently studying Business on the Auraria campus in Denver, CO.

Josh LOVED sports. He began wrestling when he was 4 years old, and played soccer, basketball and football throughout his life. Josh was a gifted athlete who played quarterback for his high school football team and led his high school and club basketball teams to many victories and championships. He was the king of sinking a 3-pointer; it was thrilling to watch him performing one of his passions. Even as school play ended, Josh would shoot hoops in the backyard and wow us all with his abilities - it never got old watching him. Josh not only loved to play sports, he was also an avid fan of the Denver Nuggets, Chicago Bears and the Wyoming Cowboys. He would be upset for an entire day after his team lost. He had many bad days being a Bears fan. On the other hand, he had many great days thanks to the success of his beloved Denver Nuggets, and he was always pumped to watch his favorite player Nikola Jokic play like a ""beast.""

Josh loved movies from a very young age. He would watch his favorites over and over again - and wanted you to watch with him to share his enjoyment - he loved to watch your reactions to his favorite parts of a movie. Josh was a creative and talented writer. He wanted to write screenplays for movies and his dream was to one day see his name in the credits of a production. He wrote many stories and made his own movies with his friends as a child. Josh produced and starred in his own music videos that he made with his friends, which won awards in his video production class.

Josh was so full of life! He lit up every room that he entered. He had fun no matter where he went and made sure that everyone else was having fun too. All of his friends remember that he always encouraged them to be themselves, that he was someone they could honestly open up to, and that he made everyone laugh with his antics and shenanigans. He was always ready for an adventure. Josh's family remembers him in much the same way - Josh did not change who he was depending upon whom he was around - he was true to himself every day of his life. He was so very kind, sensitive and caring and gave the very best hugs - these will be missed more than words can express. Josh felt everything very deeply and did not shy away from sharing that side of him with his loved ones and friends. Josh loved to snuggle, make up nicknames for the people he cared for, have his hair stroked and his back and arms tickled.

Josh found joy hanging out with his friends and special girlfriends, goofing around, going to concerts and Nuggets games, and spending time with his family - especially for holidays, family reunions, steak dinners and going to the lake at Keyhole, WY. Josh loved all kinds of music. He loved singing along with his family or his friends to any song that he connected to, and his joy in those moments was palpable. He always had his headphones with him so that he could listen to music wherever he went - it was an essential need for him and brought him both comfort and happiness. Josh took great pride in his appearance. He loved to wear stylish clothes and have his hair styled and cut just so. Josh was always quick to complement his mom, aunt and nanna on their outfits, which made them smile and feel very special. His mom made sure he had all of the latest shoes, most especially his beloved Jordans. He looked great in anything that he wore because he was such a handsome and charismatic young man. Josh was silly and often endearingly annoying because he was always trying to make everyone laugh - he was not shy to wear what he wanted and say what he wanted. So many people can imitate his favorite expressions and zingers - they were creative and catchy. He had a natural quick-witted way with words, sounds and rhythms.

Josh's family meant everything to him. Josh was a mama's boy and didn't care who knew, he embraced it. He loved his mom deeply and they had a very close and transparent relationship. He loved his dad and enjoyed the time that he got to spend with him. His grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins were often the topic of his conversations and memories. He adored the dogs in his life, Dunkin, Bella and Louie and the ones that went before, Ray and Honey. Josh was a one of kind human being who was full of light and love and had such a sensitive soul. He wanted everyone to be happy and enjoy their lives. His laughter was infectious and his love of music, including singing and dancing to his favorite jams, brought joy to all who were near.

Josh was not a perfect person. He was maturing every day and working to become the great man he was meant to be. Growing up is harder for some than others. He didn't always do or say the right things; he was a young person learning to be better. He helped many friends develop into better versions of themselves by giving them encouragement as he worked to improve himself. His confidence was growing day by day. He had plans for his future and he was very hopeful. Lately, Josh had expressed interest in coaching youth basketball and opening a business with his mother in the future. He wanted to make everyone who knew him proud, especially his mom. We are so very proud of him. Josh, we are deeply proud of you.

Josh will be buried in Thermopolis, Wyoming on Friday, June 5^th, 2020 with funeral services to be held at St. Francis Catholic Church. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, his funeral will be limited to immediate family. A memorial service and celebration of his life will be scheduled in Casper, WY later in the summer so that all of his friends and family can join.

Josh is survived by his mom, Anne Stotts and his dad, Jesse Spielman. Maternal grandparents, Dennis and Andrea Stotts and paternal grandparents Don Spielman and Vivian (Chuck) Hawkinson. His other mom and aunt, Katie Stotts, his uncles, Mark Stotts (Teresa) and cousin Anna, his uncle Matt Stotts (Courtney) and cousins Ruby, Matthew, Brandon, Jimmy, Jimmy Smith and Gracie Smith, his Uncle Aaron Spielman (Jacque) and cousins Michael and Jacob, Shelly (Mark) Hecker and cousin Morgan.

His little cousin Jack Smith passed away several years ago and they are now playing together.

Josh was tragically taken too early from this world as the victim of violent crime. His passing has left a hole in the hearts of everyone that loved him. We are deeply devastated. While this is extremely heartbreaking and painful, we take comfort that he is now with the angels and his loved ones that went before. Please remember Josh fondly and take a moment throughout your life to speak to him from your heart. We will all miss his hugs and kisses.

Josh was very loved and blessed to have so many people supporting him through each stage of his life. Many young people do not have the same luxury and feel very alone. Josh cared deeply about the people in his life and made an effort to always provide support for them. In Josh's honor, and to keep his memory alive, find someone in your life that needs love, support, forgiveness, or even just your presence. Be kind and patient. Reach out and if they do not answer, reach out until they do. Just being there for someone could be a healing and pivotal moment for him or her. If you are a person reading this that is struggling, answer your phone or messages from those reaching out. Also, know that there are people out there that will answer your phone call or message if you reach out. The encouragement and love that is available for you is endless.

Josh was an organ donor and his corneas were donated so that someone else might see once again.

In lieu of flowers, if you are an eligible donor, please donate blood at your local blood bank in Josh's memory.