Joshua James Reichert

Joshua James Reichert, passed away on December 11, 2024, as a result of a tragic car accident in Chandler, Arizona. He was 30 years old. Joshua was born on April 19, 1994 in Virginia Beach, VA. At age 4 Joshua moved with his family to Faribault MN, and then again to Gilbert AZ in 2004. Joshua finished grade school at Heritage Christian School in Gilbert and then went on to South Valley Junior High and Campo Verde High School, also in Gilbert, where he graduated. Joshua was very athletic as a boy and excelled as a pitcher in Little League baseball and went on to wrestle in junior high and high school. After graduating high school in 2012, Joshua attended Grand Canyon University in Phoenix where he majored in Digital Animation and Graphic Design. Joshua loved the outdoors and especially loved being by the water and beach. He spent extensive time in Southern California and Hawaii with family and friends and enjoyed surfing, hiking and sitting on the beach drawing or playing his guitar. Joshua was a natural, self-taught musician. He had a God-given ear for music and could seemingly pick up any guitar, ukulele, keyboard or set of bongo drums and be playing a fun song in a matter of minutes. He was a natural with musical instruments but also had an excellent voice and would mesmerize those listening with a soulful melody on his guitar and sing a song in the spur of the moment. He loved making people happy with his music. Perhaps Joshua's greatest gift was his love for people. He was so selfless and truly would rather build up, celebrate, mentor and encourage others before talking about himself. He desired to see those he loved and cared about, happy, protected, valued, and successful. He was truly an altruistic, caring and selfless man. He had an amazing servant's heart and naturally put others' needs ahead of his own. Joshua gave his life to the Lord at a young age and loved sharing his faith with others, whether it be encouraging the discouraged, sharing what the Lord had done in his life, or through his music. He loved listening to, playing, writing and singing worship songs. He would so often be found sitting alone on the patio just strumming a tune he thought of and singing gentle notes back to the Lord. Joshua was also an excellent artist. He kept a sketchbook with him and loved drawing and then sharing that art with those he loved, again with the desire to inspire and encourage others. Joshua was employed in Mesa AZ as a car salesman. His pure love and empathy for people helped him to excel in his position. He would be genuinely excited and satisfied when he could put a client in a vehicle they loved, and for a fair price - even if that resulted in a lesser commission for him. He simply wanted to do right by his clients and treat people as he would want to be treated. This is how he lived his life.
Joshua is survived by his family in Arizona: his father James Reichert II, his mother Sarah Reichert (Martin Gillard), and his dear brother and sister John and Annah Reichert; and extended family in California, Florida, and Minnesota. A small family viewing will take place on December 18, 2024 at Red Mountain Funeral Home in Mesa AZ. A celebration of life will be held at a date to be determined in later January 2025 for extended family, friends and all who knew and loved this amazing man. Joshua was a bold, creative, witty, intelligent and loving young man. He was a natural and selfless leader. His life's verse was so fitting; "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9)" Joshua left an indelible impression on all whom he interacted with and the hole he leaves in his family's and friend's lives will not be filled this side of heaven.