Joshua Stapleton, age 47, of Waynesville, Missouri passed away on December 3, 2025, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. He was born on August 9, 1978, in North Little Rock, Arkansas; a son of Dennis Brown and Melodee Stapleton. He was united in marriage to Tiffany Sweat on July 17, 2017, on their family’s property at Ha Ha Tonka State Park in Camdenton, Missouri.
Joshua lived his life with a beautiful, kind heart that seemed to glow everywhere he went, and his funny, effortlessly sharp sense of humor could lift even the heaviest days. His selflessness was the kind of light that filled a room before he even spoke, and his love for his family was the steady center of everything he did. A true gearhead, he appreciated cars in every era—from the raw muscle of a 1967 Mustang to the sleek innovation of the newest Tesla, which only deepened his admiration for Elon Musk and all things futuristic. It was even said that if you know Joshua and you opened the conversation up about Elon Musk, you would be there for a while. His fascination with the solar system, space, and rockets made his curiosity feel infinite, as if his spirit was always reaching for the stars.
Joshua was a loving husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend. His legacy will be lived on in the lives of his family and everyone he knew.
Joshua is survived by his wife Tiffany Stapleton of the home; his children Jaden Stapleton and his wife Heaven, Derick Stapleton, and Luna Stapleton; his father Dennis Brown; his mother Melodee Forshey and stepfather Kevin Forshey; his siblings Jacob Forshey, Benjamin Nichols, Cheyenne Mallett-Forshey, Alicia Timmons, Lani Staub, Michelle Emmitt, Carrie Hurley, and Rachel Owens; several nieces and nephews; and other relatives and many friends.
Joshua was preceded in death by his stepmother Janet Brown; his grandmother Jean Stapleton; his grandparents Vivan and Ruth Brown; his grandparents Arthur and Judy Forshey; his grandmother Dayle Forshey, his mother and father-in-law Stephanie and Richard Morris, and his grandparent in laws Judith and Raymond Burns.
Friends will be received from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm on Sunday, December 14, 2025 at Hedges-Scott-Millard Funeral Home-Camdenton. Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 pm, Sunday, December 14, 2025 at Hedges-Scott-Millard Funeral Home-Camdenton.
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Arrangements are under the direction of Hedges-Scott-Millard Funeral Homes, 1270 S Business Route 5, Camdenton, MO 65020 (573) 346-2090. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.hedgesscottmillard.com.
