Joshua Drake Pflueger

Joshua Drake "Josh" Pflueger

September 24 2001 - September 18, 2026

Joshua Drake "Josh" Pflueger of Joshua, Texas, passed away on September 18, 2025, following a courageous lifelong journey with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Josh lived a life that reached far beyond the physical limitations placed before him. He was known for his perseverance, his faith, his unforgettable personality, and the way he could light up any room he entered. Josh was fiercely loyal to the people he loved. If you were one of his people, you knew it-and he loved you with his whole heart.

More than anything, Josh loved his family. They were his foundation, his biggest supporters, and his favorite people. One of the greatest joys of his life was being an uncle. He absolutely adored his nephew, Tyler and treasured being his uncle. It was a title Josh wore proudly and a relationship that brought him tremendous happiness.

Josh also loved adventure. He loved hunting and made several memorable hunting trips throughout his life. He looked forward to attending MDA Summer Camp, where he made memories, built friendships, and enjoyed the kind of experiences he was never willing to let Duchenne keep him from having.

In fact, one of Josh's most well-known sayings was simply: "Why not me?"

Those three words captured so much of the way Josh approached life. When an opportunity came along, Josh didn't begin with all the reasons something might be difficult or impossible. Instead, he asked, "Why not me?" Why couldn't he go? Why couldn't he participate? Why couldn't he lead? Why couldn't he make a difference?

And time after time, he did.

A proud graduate of Joshua ISD, Josh graduated from Joshua High School in 2021. His love for Joshua ran deep. While he was a devoted Green Bay Packers fan, the Joshua Fighting Owls held a special place in his heart. Under the guidance of his beloved Papa Burt, Josh became a dedicated supporter of the Fighting Owls and a familiar and treasured part of the Joshua community. He loved coaching on the field.

After high school, Josh attended Texas Christian University, where he earned his degree in Communication Studies in 2025. During his years at TCU, Josh found not only an education but a community that embraced him and gave him opportunities to serve, lead, and share his faith.

Josh became an important member of TCU Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He openly shared his testimony and spoke about the impact FCA had on his life. Josh once described arriving at his first FCA Huddle and immediately feeling welcomed, saying the love he experienced there felt like what the church was supposed to be. He continued attending and eventually shared his own story of faith with others.

Josh's influence at TCU was recognized through the creation of the Josh Pflueger Servant Leadership Award. Josh was its inaugural recipient and namesake, and he later had the opportunity to present the award to another deserving student. The award is a fitting part of Josh's legacy because servant leadership was not simply something he talked about-it was how he lived.

Josh faced circumstances most people will never fully understand, yet he did so with remarkable courage, perseverance, humility, and grace. He refused to allow his diagnosis to define the value or purpose of his life. Duchenne was part of Josh's story, but it was never the whole story.

At the center of Josh's life was his faith in Jesus Christ. He knew the difficulties of this life were not the end of his story. He held tightly to the promise found in 2 Corinthians 5:8, that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.

Those who love Josh grieve deeply because his absence leaves a space that simply cannot be filled. But they also grieve with hope, knowing that the body that limited Josh throughout his earthly life no longer limits him.

Josh ran his race with tremendous endurance. He loved deeply, believed faithfully, served willingly, laughed fully, and lived courageously. He left an imprint on his family, his friends, Joshua ISD, TCU, FCA, and countless others who were blessed to know him.

Josh is survived by his parents Chris and Dawn Pflueger, sisters Hannah (Justin) and Grace, his beloved nephew Tyler, Grandma Momo Vickie, extended family, and a tremendous community of friends, classmates, educators, teammates, caregivers, and others who loved him dearly.

He was preceded in death by his Grandma Carolyn, Momo Ruthie, Poppie Donathan, Popo Bob and Aunt Geggie.

Josh Pflueger's Memorial Service will be held October 3 at 11:00 a.m. at Joshua High School's Acker Auditorium. Family, friends, former classmates, educators, members of the Joshua community, and all whose lives were touched by Josh are invited to gather to remember him, celebrate his life, and give thanks for the faith that sustained him.

Far greater than anything else was the One in whom Josh placed his hope. Josh fought the good fight. He finished the race. He kept the faith. And perhaps Josh left all of us with one more challenge for the lives we have left to live: "Why not me?"

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Josh's nephew's college fund. Donations can be made to First National Bank of Granbury or to through the Zelle.