Joshua O. Burch, 31, died while battling the Blue Ribbon Forest Fire on the Hamilton / Columbia County border, Monday, June 20, 2011. He was dedicated Forest Ranger / Fire Fighter with the Division of Forestry who served the State of Florida and it's citizens faithfully. First and foremost though, he was a husband and father who loved to spend time fishing on the river, hunting in the woods he was trying to protect and spending time with his wife and two sons.

He is survived by his loving wife of twelve years, Danielle; his two sons, Jeremy and Jacob of Lake City, FL; father, Hollis Burch & Judy Meadows of Pine Mountain, GA; mother, Mollie (Loyd) Gaylard of Lake City, FL; half-brother, Jason Burch,CA; numerous aunts and uncles also survive.


Funeral services will be conducted on Friday, June 24, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at Christ Central Ministries, with Pastor Mike Tatum officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, Lake City; FL. Visitation with the family will be Thursday evening from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. GATEWAY-FOREST LAWN FUNERAL HOME, 3596 South U.S. Hwy 441, Lake City, Florida 32025, (386) 752-1954 is in charge of arrangements.