Joshua Packham

Joshua John Packham

LAYTON - Joshua John Packham passed away Wednesday, December 10, 2014 at 3:15 p.m. at McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden, Utah.

He was born September 1, 1973 in Ogden, UT to Kevin John Packham and Deborah Kershaw.  They then blessed him with a little sister, Holly who was born December 29, 1974.

He was raised in Ogden until the age of 9 when his mother moved the three of them to Buttte, MT and then to Portland, OR.  At the age of 12 he and his sister came to live with their father Kevin and step-mother, Suzie Arnold Packham in Layton, UT, where he lived the remainder of his life, he was a resident of Chancellor Garden’s until his death.

At an early age he was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis.  And by the age of 13 a tumor developed on his brain that was inoperable because of the placement.  If affected his gross and small motor skills; his vision, his speech, it caused his tendons to freeze making him walk with a limp and a foot that turned inward and upward.  Even though the school counselor was against him going to a ‘normal’ junior high, Josh excelled at his school work and went on to graduate from Layton High School where he received a standing ovation from his classmates as he walked across the stage to accept his diploma.  He earned his Eagle Scout with the help of his Grandpa Arnold.  He was able to hold employment and support himself for a very long period of time.  He was versed in all sports and knew all the stats of all the teams (especially football).  He was not afraid to try new adventures, like Para-sailing, that he thoroughly enjoyed.  He was a published poet.  He received his certification in Bookkeeping/Accounting.  He loved to learn.  The neurologist predicted he would not make it to his high school graduation, he turned 41 this year.  His pain and suffering has ceased and now he is whole and is reunited with his mom Debbie, his Grandma and Grandpa Kershaw and his Grandma Virgie Arnold.

He is survived by his sister Holly Packham, nephew Gary Ouellette, father Kevin Packham, step-mother Suzie Arnold Packham and Grandfather Bob Arnold.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 20, 2014 at 11 a.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road.  Friends may visit family Saturday from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. at the mortuary.

Interment, Lindquist’s Memorial Park at Layton, 1867 No. Fairfield Road.

We would like to thank the members of the Layton 7 ^th Ward for your friendship, love and caring.  It meant so much to him and to us as a family.

Our heartfelt thank you to the loving staff at Chancellor Garden’s who were there for him, cared for him on a daily basis and loved him.