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I met Joel working in the Capitol over a decade ago. I wanted to be friends with him as soon as I met him, he brought so much amazing energy in everything he did.

I have too many memories to count- but I will always take credit for helping to set him up with his wonderful wife Tricia.

Sending love and light to us all xx
I first met Joel 5 years ago when he joined East Fork. Since then we have all become family: Joel, Tricia, Mason, Molly, Nathan, Leslie, myself, and my husband Aaron. I will miss all the fun he brought to our community but also my connection with him and our conversations that brought me closer to him .

When Aaron and Nathan's brother Wesley died I will never forget how Joel was there for us. He knew what we needed during a very difficult time and opened up his heart and made things a little easier. I am already missing you dear friend.
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Joel is my good friend, also like my brother in the state. He was kind and considerate to me. When I studied abroad in the state, he gave me lots of support and help. He is one of my important friends in my life. The last time we met was two years ago. He traveled in Taiwan. I was pregnant. He gave me a big hug and told me everything would be great. He was positive and warm. I miss him so much.
In response to "When was the last time you spent time with Joel?"
You were so kind and thoughtful Joel, as soon as I met you! Your fashion sensibilities and fearlessness were only matched by your sensibilities and fearlessness to do right and make the world better. I’m sad that you are gone too soon. I would have loved to spend more time with you on Earth. Sending love into the universe to find you. Sending peace to all your family and friends.
I met Joel through Nathan Howard’s introduction in 2016. Occasionally, I would work on his house for him. I remember him saying “thank you for helping with the garage door, I’d ask my brother- but I don’t like to burden him with repairs every time I need something.”

Joel had a soft, loving voice, he loved to smile, and loved to provide smiles for those around him. My daughters remember Joel as the friend who gave them Lavender oil as a gift at Nathan’s birthday last year. I remember Joel as a friend who asked for nothing and who had everything to give.

As it turned out, Joel and I along with Seth all went to high school together. There’s truth to the sentiment, “it’s a small world.”

As I grow older, and experience loss- I’m increasingly galvanized to be fair, kind, gentle, and loving. Thank you Joel, for contributing to the evidence that humans are kind and wonderful. I will miss you my friend.
Joel taught me a lot in the years I worked with him. He was always a bright light in what sometimes could be cloudy days. He brought a keen wit and a positive attitude to every day I worked with him. I miss those days. Now more than ever. Peace, my friend.
Joel was a powerful life force. We had several serendipitous overlaps: Oregon State, Bus Project, teaching English in Asia, Portland, etc. I’ve always admired him. Our conversations always inspired me to be a better person. He is so greatly missed. Big love and thanks to his family for sharing this beautiful person with the world. He will not be forgotten.
Trish and family, words cannot appropriately express how much I feel for your loss. Joel touched so many humans and worked for so many virtuous causes in his too-brief time on this planet. Joel and I shared many beers, swayed together to live music, and most recently, he was instrumental in helping me find my forever home. My lavender oil stash and East Fork pin collection are more dear to me now than ever. Every tear is shed with purpose, Joel's life is worth every moment of mourning. Until we meet on another plane, my friend.
My sincere condolences to Joel's dear mother, Terry Sue, and brothers. I knew Joel from when he was in high school. I was his neighbor across the street. I enjoyed hearing stories about his travels and time living in Asia. I was always impressed by his enthusiasm for life and love of culture.
I met Joel when he was a student at OSU, and in charge of legislative issues for the Associated Students of Oregon State University. He was instrumental in an effort that resulted in OSU recognizing 42 Japanese-American students who were evacuated from campus, and to present honorary degrees to 22 of them or to representatives of their families during commencement in 2008. I stayed in touch with him throughout his career and appreciated and enjoyed every interaction we had over the years. https://www.gazettetimes.com/…
I stayed up late last night going through old photos. It's telling that almost all of my pictures of Joel were group shots. He had a knack for bringing people together. One of the ones I kept returning to was taken in Taiwan, 2016. We'd all painted messages and wishes on a lantern that was to be lit and sent into the sky. My gal Elizabeth wrote 'Tomato lives forever' on one panel (Tomato is our dog). Joel wrote 'Blater' on one side (his nickname for Elizabeth, a play on her name Beth Slater) and 'Happy AF' on another. Looking at this photo, it occurred to me how 'Joel AF' that statement really was. Our ambassador of happiness was seriously focused on being happy, and creating and maintaining good times with good people. Reading all the messages on this page, from people I've never met, only reinforces this. He was always uniquely 'Joel AF,' and we all loved him for it. I'll miss him. I know we all will. My thoughts are with his family and his many other friends.
I'm so sorry for everyone’s loss. I’m the CEO of Ever Loved--I happened to click on Joel’s memorial website and realized I’d met him. I sat next to Joel on a flight from Portland to San Francisco (I think in 2007), and we discovered that we both had bussed tables at the Old Spaghetti Factory and knew many of the same people. We ended up having several drinks and chatting the whole flight. 14 years later, I still recognized him and remembered our conversation, which I don’t think I could say about anyone else I’ve met on a plane. My heart goes out to everyone who knew him well.
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We finally got to meet up for…
2008, Portland, OR, USA
We finally got to meet up for drinks in Portland! I’ll never forget you being the most popular guy in the room.
Joel loved his gadgets. One o…
2016, Rockaway Beach, OR, USA
Joel loved his gadgets. One of his favorites (and mine) was his set of illuminating bocce balls. I loved playing bocce with Joel all over the state. I don't know anyone else who used the measuring string as much as he did to make sure which ball was closest. Here he is with one of the green balls, which of course was always his color.
Joel was the drummer on the worship team at Camp Arrah Wanna in 1998. Growing up in a secular home, I knew nothing about the Bible. It was that week, at that camp, that I came to Christ.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
Joel, I'll always remember how kind you were to me when I was navigating my first legislative session in Oregon. Thank you for everything. Your humor, wit, integrity, and generosity of spirit will never be forgotten. I'm going to miss you so much.

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