Joshua McKinnon Grace

Josh Grace passed March 3, 2020 from this life to the next after 40 short years.  Born on April 11, 1979 in Pensacola, Florida, Josh spent the majority of his youth in Shalimar.  He came up through the county school system, attending Longwood Elementary, Meigs Middle School and graduated from Choctawhatchee High School in 1997.  He received his college degree from Troy State University. 

While some of us spend a lifetime searching for our passions, Josh found his early in life.  There was no place on earth he felt more at home than on the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, where he spent every minute he could.  From the bayous and bays chasing trout and redfish, to the deep blue offshore waters hunting the largest pelagic species, Josh seemed to find a measure of peace on the water that anchored his soul to all that is good in the world.  If anything came close to this love of the water it was the quiet solitude of the family farm in southeast Alabama where he would spend the offseason hunting deer, turkey and hogs.

Josh started several businesses over the years but never strayed far from his aquatic passion.  Soon after earning his Captain’s license at the age of 18, he and another local, Jason Parkhurst, filmed the first fishing show out of Destin, “Amazing Adventures,” which documented his many fishing trips on the family’s 41 foot G&S sportfisher “Amazing.”  After upgrading his license, Josh began transporting oil tending ships from Texas and Louisiana to places such as Trinidad and Tobago.  In his later years, so as to be closer to his children, he accepted a position as Captain of the charterboat “Alibi,” and fished out of Destin. 

Although 40 years may be a short time on earth, Josh packed each of them full of adventure.  He had a zest for life that was unparalleled.  He was a big man with a big voice, a big infectious laugh and a big personality to match.  He loved people and enjoyed the company of many friends.  He was a wonderful father and placed the love he had for his children above all else.  He will be missed by all those who knew him. “Here he lies where he longed to be; Home is the sailor, home from the sea and the hunter home from the hill.”

Joshua is survived by his loving parents, Roger and Shirley; his brother, Chad; his beautiful children, Alexia, Morgan and JT; his nephews, Brandon and Gannon; niece, Cadyn; his aunt Patsy, uncle Reggie; cousins, Tracey and Todd (Nancy) and numerous other nieces, nephews and cousins. 

There will be a private family service at the family home to honor and celebrate his life.