Josh Douglas

Joshua “Josh” Jackson Douglas, 43, of Knoxville, IA, passed away January 16, 2024, in Des Moines, IA, surrounded by his family. A celebration of life will be held Wednesday, January 24, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Knoxville First United Methodist Church. Family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 9:00 a.m. A luncheon will be held immediately following the service at the church for a time of continued fellowship.

In honor of Josh’s memory, contributions can be made to his family and directed to his wife, Renae Douglas. May his soul rest in peace and may his loved ones find solace in the memories they shared with him. Josh will be forever missed and loved.   

Josh was born May 17, 1980 in Pella, IA to Michael and Sherry (Douglas) Goff. Josh attended Knoxville schools for his primary education and went on to graduate from Pella High School in 1999. Josh met his wife, Renae, in April of 2001. The couple later wed on October 21, 2002 but had a bigger wedding on July 26, 2003. Josh and Renae have six beautiful children: James, Aldria, Emma, Cora, Briarleigh, and Micah. The couple also has 3 dogs: Saige, Coco, and Mocha and one cat, Gemini. Josh was a loving husband and a devoted father. Cora would routinely call him “the best dada ever”. 

Josh had a passion for racing and storm chasing. You could always count on Josh to know what the weather was going to be like. When the tornadoes would start rolling in, you know that Josh would be out there chasing them. 

Josh was a hard worker and had worked as a mechanic for 12 years at vermeer. He had previously been a firefighter and EMT in his community. In recent years, he found a career working in maintenance in long term care facilities and working for the city of Knoxville. At the time of his death, he was working for Kelly Supply in Pella. 

Josh is survived by his wife, Renae (Jahner) Douglas and their six children: James, Aldria, Emma, Cora, Briarleigh, and Micah. His parents, Mike and Sherry (Douglas) Goff. Siblings: Sara (Rob) Anderson, Doug Goff, Ben Goff, Missy (Logan) Weldon, and Nate Goff. He is also survived by his aunt and uncles, Craig Douglas, Randy (Tracy) Douglas, Joe Moore, Mark (Lora) Goff, Lisa (Mark) Olson, Reuben (Val) Comer, and Gary (April) Comer. His mother-in-law, Anna (George) Shores, brothers-in-law, Bradley (Katy) Jahner and Levi Thompson. In addition to his immediate family Josh is survived by his nieces: Madysen, Lainey, Chloe, Everest, Temperance, and Gwen. His nephews: Bob, Quinn, Marion, Elijah, and Rowan. Josh is also survived and loved by many cousins, extended family, and friends. 

Josh was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Verna and Clarence Douglas, paternal grandparents, Marion and Gloria (Gaye) Goff. An aunt, Melinda Moore, a cousin, Arlo Goff. Maternal great-grandparents, Eva and Kermit Kincaid and Claude and Esther Douglas, and paternal great-grandparents, Jim and Juanita Goff.  

God saw you getting tired,
And a cure was not to be;
So he put his arms around you,
And whispered, “Come to me”.
With tearful eyes we watched you,
And saw you pass away;
Although we loved you dearly,
We could not make you stay.
A golden heart stopped beating,
Hard working hands to rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us,
He only takes the best.