Josh Randal Wells (1963-2020)

WELLS, KAUZLARICH

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 6/4/2022 at 18:05:34

Josh Randal Wells of Cincinnati, Iowa succumbed to an auto accident in Appanoose County on April 28, 2020 at the age of 57.
Josh, the third son of Clive and Margaret (Kauzlarich) Wells, was born January 4, 1963 at the St. Joseph hospital in Centerville, Iowa. Josh graduated from Seymour Community High School in 1981. He attended Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, and was a member of the Simpson Redmen football team where he earned a starting position his Freshman year as a strong safety.
Josh was baptized in the St. Frances Catholic Church in Mystic, Iowa and attended Seymour United Methodist Church.
On June 11, 1983 he married his high school sweetheart, Darla Jean Darrah, daughter of Eugene and Deloris Darrah. They were married 36 years. To this union, three sons were born; Nathan Lee, Nolan Randal, and Seth Eugene.
Josh began farming and working in carpentry after college. Together, he and Darla built a farming operation in Appanoose, Wayne and Putnam counties consisting of row crops and cattle. They currently reside on their first farm they purchased, Darla's home place. Later, they added a trucking operation, and Josh was a seed corn dealer with multiple companies. Josh lived and breathed farming, working long hours. Family and friends always commented that most conversations revolved around the topic of farming. He knew no strangers; he could literally have a conversation with anyone, young or old.
Josh was a long-time member of the Appanoose County Cattleman's Association, serving as President the past twenty years, as well as serving on the Appanoose County Fair board. He also was a member of the Appanoose County Farm Bureau and served two terms on the Seymour Community School Board. He and Darla were also supporters of the Appanoose County Pheasants Forever.
Favorite pastimes included hunting and golfing with family and friends, yearly fishing trips to Canada, vacationing with Darla and spending time with his extended family and grandchildren. Josh was an avid sports fan, particularly of Iowa Hawkeye football, attending many of their games at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. He also regularly attended the local high school sporting events and was a Seymour Athletic Booster club member (sponsor). Much time was spent in the stands watching his sons play all sports and coaching their youth sports teams. In recent years, watching and interacting with his four grandchildren brought him great joy and pride.
Josh was preceded in death by his grandparents, Marion and Janie Kauzlarich and Ruby Wells, Rex and Ethel Wells.
He is survived by his loving wife Darla, sons Nathan (Jessica) Wells of Numa, Nolan (Kelsey) Wells of Plano, and Seth Wells of Maryville, MO; grandchildren Madelyn, Mason, Tyne and Royce Wells, parents Clive and Margaret Wells of Plano, brothers Jeff (Diana) Wells of Jerome, Dr. Joel (Bonita) Wells of Corydon, and Jon (Misty) Wells of Grundy Center, mother-in-law Deloris Darrah of Seymour, sister-in-law Dian (Todd) Rider of Overland Park, KS, several nephews and nieces, along with many extended family members and close friends.
. . . And so, my life must be no different just like the crops that I have grown; For I am also God's child and seed, that at harvest must come home. ALWAYS and FOREVER!
Funeral service will be 2:00 pm, Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at Bessie's Barn. The family will arrive two hours prior to the service. Interment will immediately follow at Crossroads Cemetery. Visitation will take place Monday, May 11, 2020 at Thomas Funeral Home in Centerville from 12-8 pm. Memorials may be given to Josh's grandchildren's Collegiate Fund, Little Flock Chapel or Humble Hero's Foundation. Condolences may be shared at www.thomasfh.com or facebook.com/thomasfuneralhome.
Published on May 11, 2020