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 Joshua David Fennen was born in Littleton, CO on August 20, 1994. He was baptized into the Christian faith at St. Christopher's Church in Houston, TX. He was an eighth grade honor student at Anderson Middle School and was looking forward to ninth grade at Millard South High School. Josh, a member of Boy Scout Troop 331, acheived the rank of Life on his road to Eagle. He was a member of the Order of the Arrow and was a Den Chief of Pack 331, mentoring dozens of Cub Scouts and inspiring them to fulfill their dreams of becoming Eagle Scout. His latest adventure was to better his leadership skills with his friends at the Pahuk Pride Leadership Camp at Little Sioux. Josh participated in many Scout service projects that have benefited Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church. Josh touched many lives throughout his short, yet very memorable life. He was looked up to by the younger Scouts, admired by his peers, and well thought of by all of the Scout leaders and other adults in his life. Josh had many hobbies; among them were skateboarding, electronics, archery, art, model and live steam railroading. Josh live every moment as if it were a new adventure. He was not only a go-getter in his life, but was also a "go-giver"; giving everything he had into his life, family, friends and community. Josh is survived by his loving parents, Charles and Dorothy Fennen of Omaha, NE; sisters Erika L. Fennen of Omaha and Cranesa Fennen of Creedmore, NC; grandparents Gayle and Janet Weeren of Burton, TX; Charles and Cheryl Fennen of San Antonio, TX; and many uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Memorial donations may be sent to either: US Bank, c/o Josh Fennen Troop 331 Memorial Fund, 5222 South 136th Street, Omaha, NE 68137 Boy Scouts of America, Mid-America Council, 12401 West Maple Road, Omaha, NE 68164. Please designate the Scout Tribute Fund in honor of Josh Fennen.
From the Union Pacific Employees' website: Boy Scout Was 'One of Our Own'Thirteen-year-old Josh Fennen, one of four Boy Scouts killed when a tornado swept through Iowa's Little Sioux Scout Ranch campground June 11, was the son of UP employee Charles Fennen. Josh was attending "Pahuk Pride" a week-long, national youth leadership training program for Scouting's finest. Of 5,100 scouts in the Mid-America Council area, only 100 were selected. Josh's principal at Omaha's Andersen Middle School wasn't surprised when the eighth-grader was chosen for the honor. According to the Omaha World-Herald, Principal Jeff Alfrey said Josh was a good student and hard worker, inquisitive and creative: "I could see him being a great leader. His mind was always working. He was always finding something new to do, something to experiment with."That included a great interest in railroads. Josh enjoyed building and operating large-scale models with his father. Charles is a senior project manager in the Network Planning group. His work includes planning and analysis of capacity improvements on UP's critical routes using computer simulation tools. He began his career in 1978 with the Southern Pacific, working on a track maintenance gang. He held various positions in Texas, Kansas and Colorado before the Fennen family, which includes spouse Dorothy and daughter Erika, moved to Omaha in 1997 during the SP merger. Cards may be sent to: Charles Fennen, c/o Peggy Ruiz, 1400 Douglas St., STOP 1120, Omaha, NE 68179.
The Division offers its deepest sympathies to our members and friends Charles and Dorothy Fennen and their daughter, Erika. We are deeply saddened to lose such a promising young man.
Notes that I (Wendy) have gotten on behalf of the Fennens: We will take up a collection at the June Turkey Creek Meeting to pass it on to the family or the memorial fund that is set for Josh. As a former Scout Master and a member of the Order of the Arrow my thoughts go out to the family and friends of Josh and the other Scouts that lost their lives. Louis Seibel
Jay, if you would, please pass along the website for The Compassionate Friends to Josh’s parents. I have been very actively involved with TCF since my daughter Michelle died, and I am sure the Fennens would similarly find the support they need from other bereaved parents. Feel free to tell them they can contact me as well, if they should ever need someone to talk to. Again, my deepest sympathies go out to them, and I hope there will be no more lives lost to these storms anytime soon…especially those of children. Jocelyn Fiorello (jfiorello AT mvps DOT org)
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