Joshua Stewart Obituary, Death – Joshua Ballard Stewart, 32, of Rush, Kentucky, died unexpectedly at home on January 8, 2023.
Josh “Stewy” Stewart was born in Ashland, Kentucky, on January 9, 1990, to Ballard “Chip” and Donna Nickel Stewart. He graduated from Boyd County High School in 2008. Following graduation, Josh applied his skills to L.R. Daniels Transportation Co., Ltd. and Manning Furniture, where he gained lifelong friendships and experiences. Josh worked for Plumbers, Steamfitters, and HVACR Local 248 for 13 years. His work ethic, knowledge, and self-taught abilities continued after he clocked out, repairing anything that needed repairing for anyone who needed it. He selflessly volunteered as a firefighter with the East Fork Fire Department in his spare time. No title, however, compares to his duty as a father. His greatest strength was being a father.
Josh met Amanda in 2010, and the two began laying the groundwork for their future family. When they married in 2012, they were led down the aisle by adventure, laughter, travel, music, hard work, and dedication. Jakob Ballard and Katherine McKinlee were born in the four years that followed. Josh and Amanda’s aspirations and personalities were brought full circle through their children.
Josh may be found wearing camo or Carhart and Crocs if he wasn’t wearing his welding cap and helmet. He, like his beloved side-by-side, was frequently caked in mud. If he wasn’t in the woods with a bow, at the water’s edge with a pole, or on some sort of all-terrain vehicle with a pair of wheels driving way too fast, he was at home—the new home he constructed to shelter and protect the people he cared about the most. Josh’s Dad-strengths were instinctive, as evidenced by all the smiles, chuckles, hugs, and love. When you think about Josh, grin as you recall your experiences with him, make others laugh with one of his corny jokes, squint your eyes as if half-sleep, fall asleep sitting up in a recliner (snoring of course), and/or tell the ones you love that you love them before the opportunity passes you by.
Do you understand what I mean?” Josh’s paternal grandparents, Ballard O. and Mary Frances Fannin Stewart; maternal grandparents, Frances Fetters Nickel and Jim Nickel; and uncle, Tom Nickel, all died before him. He will be greatly mourned and remembered by his devoted wife, Amanda Stewart. He was a proud father to Jacob Ballard Stewart and McKinlee Katherine Stewart, their two children. He is also survived by his devoted parents, Ballard “Chip” and Donna Nickel Stewart, with whom he shared a special bond; father-in-law, James Traylor of Westwood, KY; in-laws, Michelle and David Gifford of Grayson, KY; brother-in-law, Jerry (Megan) Traylor of Erlanger, KY; sister-in-law, Sarah (John) Skinner of Grayson, KY; two nephews, Jackson and Trace;
Pastor Steve Owens and Pastor Bob Quillen will conduct a funeral ceremony for Josh on Saturday, January 14, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at Fairview Baptist Church, 2040 Main St. Ashland (Westwood). Rose Hill Burial Park will be used for the burial. Visitation will be held at Fairview Baptist Church on Friday, January 13, 2023, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.