joseph foster pyburn august 17, 2017- may 25, 2021
Joseph Foster Pyburn came into our world on August 17, 2017, as a ray of sunshine, and returned to the arms of Jesus on May 25, 2021. To know Joe was to love Joe. Not a day passed that he wasnʼt the center of our world. From his bright white, full head of hair, to his angelic face and cherub smile, his contagious laugh and crooked little run, he radiated joy and light. There wasnʼt a snuggle moment he missed, but there wasnʼt an outdoor adventure heʼd miss either. He went duck, dove, deer, turkey, varmint, and even alligator hunting, so itʼs no wonder that camouflage was a favorite color of his.
Trips to the ranch in Uvalde were special to him, especially when he got to stop at Bucees for a snack along the way. He would smile ear to ear as soon as we hit the rock road and he could unbuckle his carseat. He knew it meant we were that much closer to sitting in a blind together, binoculars and snack bags in tow. He loved getting to drive in Daddyʼs lap and look for animals, fish in the ponds, feed baby deer, and stand on his special stump to watch the sunsets.
Joe got to stay home from school this year, so he (and we) enjoyed so much extra time together. It meant that he got to make hunting trips with Daddy while his brothers had to be at school. It meant that he got to have lunch dates and special time just with Mama. And it meant he got to spend special time on the tractor- mowing, discing, plowing, planting. He knew just what needed to get done in time for next hunting season, and he was willing to ride in that tractor all day long.
After hunting season, Joe didnʼt slow down. It was baseball time! While his brothers were at school, Joe would alternate asking, “Is it carpool time yet?” with “Can we play baseball?” Brothers and baseball- Joeʼs two biggest passions.
Although the youngest of three boys, Joe was always the toughest of the group. He had two built-in best friends from day one, and he treasured each of them just as much as they do him.
After spending years watching his big brothers play baseball, Joe fell in love with the West End Little League ballpark. He wanted to go out there as much as he could, whether he had a tee-ball game or not, and he would beg to stay for dinner instead of having to go home. We realize now that it was just his way of prolonging his visit to the ballpark. Rarely did he even eat the food weʼd buy him because his main objective was to get a snow cone and keep on playing. Heʼd never admit how tired he was, regardless of how late it was. He never wanted to leave.
Joseph was a big-time Houston Astros fan too. He once dressed up as an Astro
player for Halloween, he knew what TV channel they played on, and he even got to attend a few games in person.
He was an avid fisherman as well. He could spend all day long on the boat and would go straight to fishing off the dock upon returning. He was a professional at baiting his own line and casting out and reeling in on his own. He made trips offshore for the big fish but was just as happy to make an afternoon trip to catch trout.
On days that he couldnʼt be out fishing, playing on the beach was his next best option as long as we brought a cast net and ice cream truck money. Joseph has had the best playmates and friends.
Age didnʼt make a difference to Joe. His friends ranged from his own age to adults in their 60s, and he loved them all the same. Everyone was drawn to his light. There wasnʼt a thing Joe didnʼt enjoy, not a person or place he didnʼt love, and not a day he didnʼt shine. It makes sense that the outdoors were his most favorite place to be, because thatʼs where the sun shines the brightest.
Joseph is survived by his parents Ryan and Amy Pyburn, brothers Jack and Jude Pyburn, grandparents Tim and Terri Humble and Glen and Teri Morgan, and great grandparents Carl Bellotti and Lillian Morgan. He is preceded in death by great grandparents Darlene Bellotti, Donald Morgan, and Bob and Peggy Tammen.
We know without a doubt that Joseph has been our angel all along. He may have been a rough, tough 3-year-old boy, but he was also the most purehearted, loving, joyful, snuggly “Mamaʼs Boy.” Perhaps a heart so pure only belongs in Heaven. We know that Joeʼs light will continue shining on lives around the world, forever. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.