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Joshua David Lockhart Obituary
Description: Joshua David Lockhart Obituary... Our Heartfelt Condolences To His Loved Ones...
Joshua David Lockhart
July 31, 1981 – March 17, 2026
Obituary
Joshua “Josh” Lockhart was born on July 31, 1981, at Pioneer Memorial Hospital in Rocky Ford, Colorado, to Jerolyn (Sitton) Higgins and Michael Higgins. Following his parents’ divorce, his mother married John Lockhart in 1991 and they made their home in Las Animas where Joshua was adopted by John in 1992.
Josh grew up and attended schools in Garden City KS, Rocky Ford and Las Animas CO. When Joshua was in Las Animas Middle School, he started his apprenticeship in the family business, Lockhart Apiaries, where he worked part-time through his school years, and later full-time in his adult years.
After graduating Las Animas High School in 2000, Josh pursued his passion and talent for art by attending Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design in Denver, CO. During this time, his love for animals found expression through his work at an animal rescue center. He later continued his art studies at Coffeyville Community College in Coffeyville, Kansas, before returning home to Las Animas to continue working as a beekeeper in the family business in Las Animas, Colorado, and Caldwell, Texas.
On November 15, 2009, Josh welcomed into the world his daughter Madolynn Grace, the brightest and truest joy in his life.
In 2019, his desire to build a better life for him and his daughter led him to move to Tacoma, Washington to continue his education and career in art. While in Tacoma, Josh made new and lasting friendships and found a church home and church friends that ministered to him deeply.
Tragically, while in Tacoma, Josh met his end in the same way he lived his life - with an ardent concern for others above himself. On January 20, 2026, the shared home in which he was living was subjected to an assault and arson attack. Though wounded in the initial assault, Joshua ran to the upper level of the home to wake others, get them to safety, and call emergency services. Josh himself escaped the home and was airlifted to a hospital where he was treated for stab and burn wounds for the next two months. Sadly, he succumbed to these injuries on March 17th, 2026. Though this event took his life, Josh’s bravery and heroic act gave life to others in the home who were able to reach safety. He lived his life all the way to the end in acts of selfless love for others.
Joshua was preceded in death by his grandparents, Leo E. Lockhart, and Jerry and Donna Sitton, as well as his biological father, Michael F. Higgins. He is survived by his daughter, Madolynn Grace Bannister; his parents, John and Jerolyn Lockhart; his grandmother Ruth Lockhart; his brother, Aaron T. (Areasha) Lockhart; four nephews and one niece; his half-brother, Mark Higgins; beloved cousins, and a host of cherished family members and friends.
Josh’s hobbies included art — especially sketching, painting, and charcoal work — as well as study, writing, and fishing. He loved God’s creation and the freedom found in the outdoors. At the age of ten, his adoptive father taught him to fish in beaver ponds and to fly fish, activities that brought him both peace and joy throughout his life.
Funeral services will be held at Rocky Ford First Baptist Church on May 23 at 10:30am, with inurnment to take place at Valley View-Hillcrest Cemetery in Rocky Ford on Tuesday, May 26th at 10am.
"Greater love has no man than this, that he would lay down his life for his friends.”
John 15:13
"Learn patience, for that is what love does.
Know kindness, for that is what love shows.”
- Joshua Lockhart -
