Joshua Lee Maley

On January 2, 2022, Joshua Lee Maley passed suddenly at St. Joseph Hospital from a heart attack at the age of 42. Born in Wichita, Kansas to Veletta Autry and Steven Maley, Josh was the youngest of four siblings. Josh became a father in 2001 to his only child, Joven Lee Maley. He worked at A & Red’s Transmission Shop for 12 years before his health no longer allowed him too. In 2014 Josh’s health issues had caused him to temporarily lose his sight. Fortunately, this led to his meeting Lauren at blind school. The two had instant chemistry. Chauffer services provided by their families allowed the couple to go on their first date to Chili’s. They were serenaded by two gentlemen singing Taylor Swift karaoke throughout their meal. There wasn’t an awkward pause or a lull in the conversation the entire time. At the end of the date there was no first kiss or lingering hug, Josh gave Lauren a handshake and left. The oddness of it made Lauren text him that night to ask about it. Josh’s reply was that, “Pretty girls like her would respond one of two ways: One they would say forget him and move on or Two they would fall madly in love and never want to let go.” Two months later they were engaged. Six months after their engagement, on November 1, 2014 Joshua married his one true love, Lauren Michelle Maley. Together the couple bought a house, and became parents to 3 dogs, Shadow, Saint, and Harley, and one cat, Vader. They welcomed Joven into their home and the family was complete. Josh’s passion for the outdoors had the family going camping and on float trips and his passion for cooking kept Lauren and Joven well fed.

Josh is preceded in death by his biological father, Steven Lee Maley, and his grandparents, Leonard and Mildred Armstrong. He is survived by his wife, Lauren; his son, Joven; his parents, Veletta and Gale Autry; his siblings, Fancy Ellerman, Angel Thomas, Chelsea “Buddy” Edwards, Loren Autry, and Gaila Fortuna; 16 nieces and nephews, and 8 great nieces and nephews.

Services will be held on January 15, 2022 at McGilley State Line Chapel, 12301 State Line Road, Kansas City, MO 64145. There will a visitation from 12:00 to 1:00 PM, followed by the Memorial Service at 1:00 PM.

If you would like to share stories or photos about Josh with the family, please send them to [email protected]. Flowers can be sent to McGilley’s directly.

Donations to help with final expenses can be made through the following GoFundMe page: http://gofund.me/1746047e