Joshua Stephen Cope

JOSH COPE, Joshua Stephen Cope, our sweet son, father, brother, grandson, nephew, and friend, returned home to his Father in Heaven on Sunday, March 31, 2013. Born on October 16, 1977 in Orange County, California to Stephen and Norma Cope, Josh was the oldest of six children, born into a large, caring LDS family.

Josh was very bright with a lot of potential. He was very curious about life and as a young child often impressed his grade school teachers with his intelligent questions. His second grade teacher was so charmed by his extensive knowledge of various facts that she once asked his parents, "does this boy just sit around and read encyclopedias"? Surprisingly, even at the young age of 7, the answer was "yes!"

Josh had many talents and interests. He loved spending time with his sons, reading, working on cars, hunting and fishing. Not long ago he took his siblings and parents out on family night to teach them how to shoot a bow.

Josh had an inquiring mind and excelled in his study of several of his interests, acquiring broad knowledge and many special abilities. He recently earned high honors, earning a 4.0 GPA in a medical assistant program. From the time he was a young boy, Josh had a keen interest in learning about the mind and body and would have made a very caring health care provider had he continued in that path.

Joshʼs proudest moment in life was the day he became a father. He loved his three boys, Xander (9), Aidan (7), and Gunnar (3) very much. He was excited to celebrate Easter with them and looked forward to each and every minute they could spend together.

Josh is survived by his three sons, his parents, and his siblings Sara Cope of Las Vegas, Nevada; Rachel (Martin) Paryz of Salt Lake City, Utah; David Cope of Salt Lake City, Utah; Jensen Cope of Salt Lake City, Utah; and Jacob Cope of Salt Lake City, Utah. He is also survived by his loving grandparents Evelyn Jensen Cope of Salt Lake City, Utah; and Raul and Brigitte Rivera of Anaheim, California. Joshua is preceded in death by his grandfather George Denzel Cope. Joshua also had many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins that will miss him very much. We love you Josh.

A private funeral service will be held for the family on Friday, April 5, 2013.