Joshua Gipson Obituary

On August 23rd, 1983; on the tiny island of Okinawa, Japan; sunlight came into our lives in the form of a beautiful, perfect, baby boy. He was such a joy to our hearts every day.
On October 24th, 2024 that light went out. And I cannot describe with words how much we hurt.
Named for his grandfather, Josh grew up in Japan for 13-years, claiming the beaches and the East China Sea as his own. As a young boy, he travelled with his family to South Korea, Guam, and coast-to-coast road trips all over the United States. These adventures of travel followed him into adulthood, where he continued to travel, spending many vacations traveling to Australia, Japan and Thailand. While at first, he moved to Alaska begrudgingly; it quickly became his new home, spending time hunting, fishing, camping and hiking; mostly with family and later when he bought a home of his own; with his Pitbull-Akita mix dog, "Honey Pie".
We were blessed by his presence for 41 years. Josh was a giving, brilliant, compassionate and deeply loving man. He was awarded the UAA Scholar's program 4-year scholarship and graduated from the University of Alaska Anchorage, receiving his Bachelor's Degree in Art with an emphasis in Photography and a minor in History. His degree enabled him to find work following college with the British Broadcasting Corporation and National Geographic in the production of the "Life Below Zero" television series. He loved volunteering for the Anchorage homeless shelters and seemed intent to make it his mission to take in any stray animal that needed a home. The latest being his 30-pound Maine Coon cat, "Spaghetti".
He had an encyclopedic knowledge of movies and comic books, and Jack Kerouac quotes. He was passionate about his music and could play any instrument he picked up, without ever learning to read music. He especially enjoyed playing the piano or guitar and singing; much to the enjoyment of those around him. If you met him, you loved him and became a life-long friend. No matter what was happening in his life he would make you smile, and it was guaranteed that you would leave feeling better. He was uncompromisingly devoted to his family and friends, and we are so sad for those that never got to meet our wonderful son. Your life would have been so much brighter.
He leaves behind his heartbroken parents James and Leslie Gipson of Catawissa, PA; sister Jamie Delanuez and her husband Alex of Fair Lawn, NJ; and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Though he lived a life knowing and was told that he was loved every day, we are still devastated and long to hold him and tell him "I love you", one more time.
A celebration of life will be held in Anchorage for his Alaska friends on Monday, November 4th, at Muldoon Community Assembly at 7:00pm. A memorial will be held for family and friends in Catawissa, PA on November 16th at 2:00pm, at Catawissa Christian Church.
If you should wish to consider a donation, in lieu of flowers, please provide a gift in Joshua's name to organizations supporting animal rescue or serving the homeless community. We know this would make him happy.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joshua, please visit our floral store.