Joshua Alan Gasper, 22, of Columbus, died Aug. 6, 2018, as a result of injuries sustained from an auto-motorcycle accident near Humphrey on Aug. 2, 2018.

The medical team at The University of Creighton Medical Center at Bergen Mercy in conjunction with the staff at Nebraska Organ Recovery are proceeding with the donation of life through organ retrieval and placement, ultimately giving the gift of survival to others.

A celebration of life will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 18 at Peace Lutheran Church in Columbus with Rev. Cory Burma officiating. Visitation will be from 3-8 p.m. on Friday also at the church. Visitation will continue from 9 a.m. until service time on Saturday at the church. Interment will be in the Columbus Cemetery. We have requested that in lieu of flowers, memorials will go to the CHS Drumline and BSA Troop 212.

Joshua Alan Gasper was born on Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, Virginia, on Aug. 11, 1995, to George Gasper and Stacey (Cone) Gasper and raised in Columbus. Josh was passionate about the outdoors and had a deep love and appreciation of music. During his younger years Joshua practiced taekwondo, played soccer and football. He studied piano and was an accomplished drummer. Josh was on the swim team where he found his love for diving. He also played baseball for the American Legion.


Josh saw a need at Frankfort Square and designed his Eagle Scout project so that wheelchairs could be easily positioned to hear the music at local events. He earned his Eagle Scout in 2012 with Troop 212. Josh graduated from Columbus High School in 2014, and attended South Dakota State University where he was a diver for the Jackrabbits. In January 2017 Josh began school at Southeast Community College in Milford. He studied Non-Destructive Testing and graduated on June 8, 2018. He accepted a position at Olsson & Associates in West Des Moines, Iowa, and was excited about this new adventure.

Josh's gifts were so many: love of family, traditions, and a smile that would light up a room. He could carry on a conversation with anyone, and had a good handshake and looked you in the eye. He was not frivolous with his words and was quick to forgive. He was a kind, giving, loving person whose quick wit made people smile when they needed it. Josh never hesitated to help others and understood the value of life. His legacy will live on through his donations that saved the lives of several people through Nebraska Organ Recovery Systems.

Josh is survived by parents George Gasper and Stacey Gasper of Columbus, twin Brothers Hunter and Tanner Gasper of Milford, grandparents Alan and Cindy Gasper of Columbus; grandmother Margaret Cone of Kearney, Missouri; great-grandmother Lillian Gasper of Columbus, aunts, uncles, and cousins.


Josh was preceded in death by grandfather Ernest Cone, great-grandparents Dave and Lillian Van Pelt, David and Martha Cone; great-grandmother Betty Endsley, great-grandfathers George Gasper Jr. and James Parman Jr.