Joshua Arri, 19, ran into the loving arms of Jesus on Saturday, December 31, 2016, at his home in Columbia.  Born to Matthew and Shelley Arri on August 14, 1997, in Creve Coeur, St. Louis Co., Missouri, he moved with his family from Manchester (St. Louis Co.) to Columbia in 2003.  His proudest accomplishment was attaining the rank of Eagle Scout in 2015.  His Eagle Scout project served the entire city of Columbia as Josh organized a drive to collect and properly retire over 200 worn and tattered flags.

Josh was a humble, intelligent, hilarious, compassionate, wise, and generous young man who loved and listened well.  He counted it a privilege to know both the overlooked and forgotten.  His happiest moments were in making others laugh; filling hearts with joy though his was often heavy.  He was a talented writer, poet, archer, an engaging conversationalist, loved skydiving, and was an aspiring voice actor.  Josh loved foreign languages and cultures, especially the Mandarin language and Asian cultures, counting numerous individuals from other countries as friends.  He played the ocarina and erhu (an ancient Chinese instrument).  He dearly loved his family, his friends, his hedgehog, Dovah, and his yellow lab puppy, Vaat.

Josh is survived by his parents, Matt and Shelley of Columbia; his brother, Bryan, and Bryan’s new bride, Taylor, of Kansas City, MO; his grandparents, Thomas Arri of St. Peters, Ken Gerhart of Tucson, AZ, and Karalyn Gerhard of Des Moines, IA; and his cousin, Jennifer Skyles of Ocala, FL.  He was preceded in death by his grandma Rose Arri of Pacific, MO.

Visitation will take place tomorrow (Tuesday, Jan. 3) from 5 – 7 p.m. at Christian Fellowship Church at 4600 Christian Fellowship Rd., Columbia, Missouri.

A graveside service will begin at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 4 at Memorial Cemetery located at 1217 Business Loop 70 W, Columbia, MO  65202.

A memorial service will follow at 3 p.m. at Christian Fellowship Church at 4600 Christian Fellowship Rd., Columbia, Missouri.  A time for visiting and dinner will follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Community Compassion fund through Christian Fellowship Church.

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