John Dudley Josey, of Statesville, died Saturday, Feb. 10, 2007, at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. John had been in declining health for a number of years but his death was unexpected. He was born on Dec. 1, 1953, in Iredell County, the son of the late William Ross and Fannie Huie Josey. John was a graduate of North Iredell High School and proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam Conflict. John enjoyed and made friends easily and his humor and wisdom were among his many gifts to his beloved family and friends. He was truly "one of a kind" and everyone who knew him loved him and he will greatly be missed by family and friends. As his love for the outdoors, especially hunting, fishing and gardening, was passed to him from his father at an early age, he enjoyed sharing this love with his devoted grandsons. In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by a brother, William Randall Josey; a brother-in-law, Jack R. Setzer; and his mother and father-in-law, Leon and Judith Stewart. Loved ones left to cherish his memory include his wife, Maxine Stewart Josey, of the home; two sons, Josh Randall Josey and wife, Stacie, of Statesville, and John Ross Josey and wife, Katie, of Statesville; a daughter, Judith Dawn Josey of the home; three grandchildren, Eric Josey, Alex Salas and Emma Elizabeth; five sisters, Hilda J. Sloan and husband, George, of Hamptonville, Sharon J. Moyer and husband, Howard, of Charlotte, Retha J. Tatum of Catawba, Shirley J. Hauser and husband, Sam, of Statesville, and Barbara J. Setzer of Statesville. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Services celebrating John's life will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Nicholson Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state for 30 minutes prior to the funeral hour and burial will follow at the Faith Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will assemble at the residence of the deceased and will receive friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m. today at Nicholson Funeral Home. Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of John Josey.

Published in the Statesville Record & Landmark on 2/13/2007