Joseph Benjamin Best, 17

Joseph Benjamin Best, born Dec. 13, 1998, at Deaconess Hospital in Spokane, Wash., went home to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on June 24, 2016. He was a blessing and a treasured gift from God to his mother, Sandra Jane Governale-Frederickson of Burbank, Calif.

He was the youngest of seven of his mother’s children, Fred and Chris Temple, Selah, Moriah, Jacob and Ivory Pellerin, and the youngest of two of his biological father’s children, Tara and Corey Best. He will forever be loved, remembered and greatly missed by his grandmother, Barbara Jane Godfrey and by one of the only father figures he ever knew, Keith Monte Maddox, and a huge host of family and friends.

Joey, as he preferred to be called, was a talented, compassionate, hardworking and handsome young man, standing at 6-foot-5 and having a smile that would light up a room and brighten anyone’s day. He was passionate about sports, basketball, soccer, track, fishing, snowboarding, longboarding, and an amazing dancer. He was always up for trying new activities, all of which he swiftly became successful. He was an awesome uncle to his nieces and nephew Lelah, Isaac, Adriana and Jayden. Many people, including his siblings, gladly took part in raising him and pushing him to become the forgiving and loving man he was.

His family and the world has suffered a tremendous loss and our hearts are broken at this sudden tragedy, yet we know and would like to encourage all to have peace, be comforted and rejoice with us in knowing he is happy and free of the pain and sorrow of this life to be in his new home with our savior Jesus Christ. Joey’s final message to us all was “Almost Home!” We all look forward to the day when we will reunite with him again. We love you “Joey the Best” forever you will be in all of our hearts, and to all of us who for now have been left behind.

Our family would like to express our sincere and deepest gratitude for all the love, gifts and much needed support. In honor of our beloved Joey, we ask that you all live each day loving and forgiving one another trusting in God, having faith and hope knowing that we are all … almost home! God bless you all… See you soon Joey.

A celebration of Joey’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 2, 2016, at Bell Tower Funeral Home, 3398 E. Jenalan Ave., Post Falls, Idaho. You may view his online memorial at www.belltowerfuneralhome.com.