Joshua Cole Muzzey September 21, 1982 – September 9, 2026

Joshua Cole Muzzey, beloved husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away on September 9, 2026, at the age of 43. Josh was born on September 21, 1982 to Raymond and Boni (Stricker) Muzzey in Scottsbluff, NE. Josh grew up in the Scottsbluff/Gering area until his family moved to Lexington when he was in the 3rd grade. There he graduated from Lexington High School in 2001. He went on to continue his education at the University of Nebraska at Kearney under a football scholarship. After ending his time at UNK, Josh hired on at the Union Pacific Railroad in 2003. He worked there as an engineer for 22 years.

Josh was a fun-loving, funny, stubborn, complicated, and fiercely protective man who lived life in his own unmistakable way. He had a competitive nature and rarely backed down from a challenge. Whether it was a game, a friendly argument, or simply proving that he was right, Josh could turn almost anything into a competition—and he usually made everyone laugh along the way. Josh had a unique ability to find joy in the unusual. He loved collecting odd trinkets and sports cards, and he had a special appreciation for the country music of the 1980s and 1990s. His interests were as distinctive as his personality, and the things he collected will forever carry pieces of his memory. But more than anything, Josh loved his family. And above all else, he loved his children, Colton and Stella. Being their dad was the greatest role of his life. He loved them fiercely, protected them with everything he had, and took immense pride in the people they were becoming. His children were at the center of his world, and his love for them will continue through every memory they carry of their dad.

Josh and his wife, Rachel, were married on August 25, 2007; sharing 26 years of life together and were married for 19 of those years. They met before their senior year of high school and began a journey together that would span more than half their lives. Through all of those years, Joshua was Rachel's husband, partner, best friend, source of laughter, and sometimes, as she would undoubtedly agree, a stubborn pain in the ass. Their life together was filled with love, laughter, challenges, memories, and a bond built over nearly three decades.

Joshua was preceded in death by Grandparents Harry and Wilma Stricker, Leroy Muzzey, and Carolyn Muzzey; mother- in-law, Dr. Laura Logan, and his great-uncle, Alve Muzzey.

He is survived by his wife, Rachel L. Muzzey his beloved children, Colton and Stella Muzzey; his parents, Raymond and Boni Muzzey; his brother and sister-in-law, Jared Muzzey and Kate Romaine; and their kids Lucy and Gavin; his grandmother Geri Muzzey, and many extended family members and friends who will forever miss his laughter, his stubbornness, his competitive spirit, and his enormous heart.

Joshua's life was not defined by the number of years he had, but by the love, laughter, and memories he created during them. He will be remembered in the music he loved, the sports cards and odd treasures he collected, the stories that will be told again and again, and most importantly, in the lives of Colton and Stella. He was one of a kind. He was loved deeply. And he will be missed more than words can say.

A funeral will be held at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home on Friday, September 25, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow at East Lawn Cemetery in Minatare, Nebraska. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home, which has been entrusted with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family for Colton and Stella’s college funds. Online condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared at adamsswanson.com.