Joshua Bedard

11/20/1978 — 4/4/2018

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Our beloved husband and father, Joshua Ray Bedard, passed away peacefully
Wednesday, April 4, 2018.
Josh was born Nov. 20, 1978, to Patricia Torres (Gehrig). He was blessed with his
father, Rick Gehrig, before he was 10 years old. Josh grew up with his parents in the
Lewiston-Clarkston Valley, as well as on the beautiful prairie with his maternal
grandparents, Richard and Lila Torres. He always spoke of how both places were
home to him. Josh played sports and was part of the rodeo team as a bull rider,
which he pursued after high school as well. He had a handful of jobs from a very
young age, with sales typically being in the description.
After returning to the area permanently, he married his first wife and was privileged to be taught what it meant to be a father by his sons, Joshua and Kyson. Josh and their mother later divorced, though the boys always remained his pride and joy.
Nearly 10 years ago, Josh met the love of his life, Sara. Nothing about their meeting, dating or wedding was traditional. Choosing Sara meant choosing her daughter, Savannah, whole-heartedly as his daughter, which he did. He later legally adopted her, though it was "just a piece of paper" to them both, as they had chosen each other in the very beginning.
Family was everything to Josh. He and Sara were together through her entire nursing education and he willingly allowed himself to be her "study subject" through it all, as all nursing students have. Josh was always supportive of Sara while she was in school, never faltering. It never failed that Josh told anyone and everyone who would listen that his wife is a nurse, with beaming pride. His wife and children were his world, attending work functions, friends' and family's events, as many concerts,
knowledge bowl competitions, baseball games, football games, archery competitions and even basketball games as often as he possibly could. Josh and Sara recently renewed their wedding vows as a special time for them.
Josh loved the outdoors and spending time at the family cabin in Elk City, where he enjoyed shooting, riding ATVs and side-by-sides, exploring and the peace and quiet of nature. Though he loved that side of life, Sara has always said how she couldn't take Josh anywhere without him being acquainted with someone, regardless of how far away from home they were. Josh and Sara enjoyed spending any time they could together. They attended the concerts of their favorite country music artists such
as Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan, Brad Paisley and, most recently, Garth Brooks. Josh called this a once-in-a-lifetime chance and loved every second of it, alongside his bride. He was a mellow and caring man who could strike up a conversation with anyone, young and old alike. Josh is survived by his loving wife, Sara; amazing children, Joshua, Savannah and Kyson; parents Patricia and Rick Gehrig; brothers Jeremy and Josh; sisters Brandy, Delta and Tabatha (Jeff); bonus parents Sue and Jerry Bodden; bonus brothers Andrew (Deanna), Eric (Bethany) and Luke (Dani); as
well as nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins from his and Sara's extended family. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Richard and Lila Torres, as well as his bonus son, Avery.
To honor Josh's wishes, cremation has taken place and a private memorial service will be held at a later date.