Josh A. "PH" Smith

Josh A. "PH" Smith, age 40, of Baldwin City, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly from natural causes on Monday, August 1, 2022 at the farm, rural Baldwin.
Josh was born on June 21, 1982, in Hays, Kansas, the son of James Smith and Marsha (Brickley) Smith. He grew up in Baldwin, where his involvement in 4-H established friendships that would become lifelong friends as well as family. He graduated from Baldwin High School with the class of 2000. Following high school Josh spent a few long weeks in college until hunting season got in the way. Josh then worked on a custom harvesting crew to fund his hunting and fishing addictions. He began his career as an electrical lineman (#linelife) with the City of Baldwin before going to work for the City of Gardner in 2011, becoming a foreman in 2014. In recent years Josh added teacher to his resume, teaching lineman's school in McPherson, Kansas a couple times a year. He was great as a teacher and recruiter because he could lure potential candidates as he demonstrated ample time off for fishing and hunting.
Josh was never meant for anything that kept him inside, his love of the outdoors revolved around fishing, hunting, the farm and anything he could do with his beloved dogs. He was able to enjoy countless trips all over the country making friends as he was fishing and bird hunting (aka ripping lips and pounding cocks). In 2011 Josh jumped into the deep end of the professional cat fishing tournament circuit. After several years of challenges and struggling at tournaments, one 35 lb. Bluecat, was spark that fired a run that led Josh to become one of the 2020 Catfish Chasers Point Champion. Although the coincidence of his nephew, Cowen, getting in the boat at the same time cannot be overlooked. Josh included Cowen in many tournaments and they got pretty comfortable with the bright lights of the big stage that success brought. Still, somehow Josh managed to fit in countless hours at the farm and hunting in spite of having that "full time" job. He loved working his labs and chasing pheasants in Western Kansas and South Dakota.
Josh was "that guy" who was always up to help a friend out with whatever they needed. His quick wit, genuine nature, and real talk will be missed. To know him meant that you knew he had a heart that matched the size of his head.
Josh's love for his dogs, fishing and hunting was only challenged by one thing, his love for Amber. After 11 years together, Josh was finally "kenneled" when he was united in marriage to Amber Wittman on May 19, 2019 in Ottawa, Kansas. They enjoyed traveling, going to concerts and hanging out with friends. She survives of the home with his beloved labs, Jax and Bella. Josh is also survived by his inlaws, Tim "Witty" Wittman and Sherry Jones of Garnett; brother in law, Chris Wittman and wife, Chrystal and their children, Colten, Cowen and Charlee of Greeley, Kansas. Josh was also blessed with his adopted family, The Brown's, Scott and Jodi Crawford, Matt Crawford, Carol Taul, and Kermit and Margaret Kalb.
He is also survived by his father; brother, Jamie of Salina, Kansas and his children; uncle, Ross and wife, Jan of Lexington, North Carolina; and numerous cousins.
Josh was preceded in death by his mother on October 24, 2011; "ma and pa", Bud and Becky Brown; grandparents, Bill and Ruth Brickley; and aunt, Barbara Norton.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM, Monday, August 8, 2022 at the Baldwin First United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in the Oakwood Cemetery, Baldwin City, Kansas. Visitation will be from 5:00 - 7:00 PM, Sunday evening at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service, 219 S. Oak, Garnett, Kansas. Memorial contributions may be made to the Josh Smith Memorial Fund (for the benefit of introducing children to fishing) and left in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.feuerbornfuneral.com .