Joshua Kirby Wright

Joshua Kirby Wright of Ashland, Nebraska, passed away Sunday, April 13, 2024 at his home at the age of 46. Joshua was born November 5, 1977 to Bill Wright and Rhonda (Ockinga) Schroeder in Hastings, NE.  Joshua was baptized November 20, 1977 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Glenvil and was confirmed on April 12, 1992. His confirmation verse was from Galatians 3:26-27, “for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”

Joshua grew up in Eustis, participating in many activities and adventures in his youth. He graduated from Eustis High School in 1996. He then attended Doane College, participated in track and baseball, graduating in 2000 with a BS in Computer Science and Mathematics. Joshua found a brotherhood in the Alpha Pi Epsilon fraternity during his time at Doane. His APE brothers remained an integral part of his life long past his college days. Joshua was always very social and this skill served him well throughout his career. Joshua worked at Kenexa in Lincoln, PayPal in Omaha and his final job was with RainFocus as a Technical Account Manager. Joshua loved interacting with people and was very good at reading people. He could tell when someone could use a helping hand and was willing to jump in and assist any way he could.

Joshua was married to Kathy Urbanek of Clarkson from 2002-2004.

Joshua worked from home, but continued to be active in his community, volunteering at the Ashland VFW, was a member of the Eustis Lions Club, and enjoyed helping his best friend, Graham Rupe, with many projects including his food truck.

Joshua would do anything for the people in his circle. He was kind of a private guy, but always smiling, was the pitch partner we all wished we had, a helping hand when needed, a hot pepper eater, a grill master, son, brother, cousin, nephew, uncle, neighbor, coworker, and most importantly a father. He faithfully cheered for the New York Mets, Nebraska Cornhuskers, and the Denver Broncos. He was even passionate about training his beloved yellow lab, Natasha. But no passion or love was greater than that for his son.

Emmett Jordan Wright was born April 18, 2017 and Joshua’s life and priorities changed forever. Joshua had great parental instincts, patience and unconditional love for Emmett and wanted him to experience as many things in life as he could. He bought him a lifetime fishing permit for his first birthday and fishing soon became one of their favorite ways to spend time. Joshua valued nature and learning and showed Emmett this by taking him to the SAC museum, Safari Park, Mahoney State Park, and the Lincoln Children’s Zoo regularly as well as nature hikes and trying new foods. Emmett shares Joshua’s love for Marvel movies and Star Wars. They recently watched the entire Star Wars series.

Those left to cherish Joshua’s memory are his son; Emmett of Lincoln, mother; Rhonda Schroeder of Central City, father; Bill (Tammy) Wright of Lewellen, stepfather; Ronald Schroeder of Eustis, brother; Kenneth (Laurie) Wright of Eustis, sister; Christina (John) Flodman of Hordville, stepsisters; Tasha (Josh) Holloway of Strasburg, CO; Clairesa (Ryan) Lane of Eads, Colorado, grandfather; Kenneth Ockinga of Glenvil; aunts; Brenda (Randall) Mink of Ashland, Julie (Jeremy) Doyen of Glenvil, Kathy (John) Bowman of Owasso, OK; Brenda (Marvin) Timmerman of Hastings; Carole Frazier of Eustis, uncles; Bruce (Sandra) Ockinga of Ayr, Douglas Ockinga of Eustis, Ken (Mandy) Ockinga of Glenvil, Jared (Sue) Ockinga of Glenvil, nephew; Landon Flodman and niece; Lydia Flodman both of Hordville, Step-nephews Brad (Deidre) White of Eustis, Mitch White of Minden; step-nieces: Brittney (Luke) Everett of Scotia, and Katlyn (Lance) Morrow of Scotia, close friends; Graham (Katie) Rupe, George and Gavin of Omaha; Jim (Peg) Rice of Ashland; James (Heidi) Ward of Ashland his beloved yellow labrador Natasha, and a multitude of cousins, extended family, and his friends at the Horseshoe Lake Community.

Joshua was preceded in death by his grandparents Wilbur and Ann Wright and Rogene Ockinga.

Memorials are suggested to Eustis Lions Club, Ashland Volunteer Fire Department, Murdock Volunteer Fire Department, or the Joshua Wright Family for later designation. Online condolences may be shared at berrymanfuneralhome.com. Funeral services will be Monday, April 29, 2024 at 10:30am at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Eustis with Pastor Kathy Gundell officiating. Visitation will be held Sunday, April 28, 2024 from 5-7pm at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Eustis. A private burial of ashes will take place at a later time. Berryman Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.