Joshua K. Matthews

Joshua K. Matthews, 38, departed this life Way too early on Saturday, June 13, 2026, in Kansas. He was born in Virginia Beach, Va. He was predeceased by both sets of his grandparents, Douglas and Leanne Etheridge (Pop and Grannie), and Woody and Bernice Butler (Grana and Woody), and by Uncle Michael O. Matthews (MOM). He is survived by his parents, his mother, Roseanne Lambert (Dane Lambert), and his father, Barry Matthews. He is also survived by his brother, Jeramie Matthews; his son, Tyler K. Matthews; two daughters by marriage, Nicole A. Tobin, Amber M. Tobin, and Michelle A. Tobin; and his former wife. He also has many aunts, Erma Etheridge, Bobby Etheridge, Carolsue Matthews; uncles, Steven Etheridge, Billy Etheridge, David White; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. Joshua attended Kellam High School in Virginia Beach. He loved sports. Baseball was his passion; he played from age 5 until he finished high school. He was in the All-Stars every year. He also decided to try wrestling in high school and mastered it very quickly; he placed second in his very first match. Also, in high school, he was chosen to complete an on-campus college course in Oracle Programming. Joshua was ambitious, driven, and tenacious when he set his mind to something. At the age of 13-14, he started his own lawn care business. He had business cards and flyers made up to pass around the neighborhood. At the age of 16, he went to work for a local Window and Roof Construction company, doing door-to-door sales, and was the top seller for several months. Joshua joined the Army in 2005. He served two tours in Iraq, Operation IRAQI Freedom. He was trained in Air Assault, Combat Lifesaver, Combative Level 1 Hand-to-Hand Combat Skills, and Javelin Weapon System Training. Joshua was awarded many Decorations, Medals and Badges while he was enlisted. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, IRAQ Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and Air Assault Badge. After the Military, Joshua decided to build his own Asphalt and Sealcoat equipment and open his own Seal Coat and Asphalt Company while still in Kansas, and he was very successful. He loved working and being outside. He was very big on working out and bodybuilding, fishing, music, and playing with his children. Joshua also had a great love for Reading and Learning. Some of his favorite subjects were Science, Theoretical Physics, Quantum Physics, Electrodynamics, Greek Mythology, and anything and everything about Philosophy, Anthropology, Sociology, Psychology, Egyptology, and German Philosophers. He did extensive research on ancient human civilizations and the evolution of life, and was always exploring truth, ethics, and the nature of reality. Some of his favorite writers were Plato, Voltaire, Friedrich Nietzsche, Plotinus, Aristotle, Socrates, The Hackett Classics, and The Penguin Classics. He loved anything related to History. He read and studied many different translations of the Bible. When he wasn’t reading his favorite subjects, he was reading fiction like "The Wheel of Time" and "The Ways of the Kings." Joshua had a Strong Personality and a Brilliant Mind. Joshua would say, “I AM PERFECTLY IMPERFECT, AND THAT IS MY STRENGTH” HE WAS TRULY LOVED AND WILL FOREVER BE LOVED AND IMMENSELY MISSED BY PLATO: "WE BECOME WHAT WE CONTEMPLATE." "COURAGE IS KNOWING WHAT NOT TO FEAR"