Joel Routledge

joel routledge
Joel David Routledge, 40, Fargo, North Dakota lost his battle with cancer and passed away at Sanford Hospital on March 19, 2016 with his family at his side. Joel was born on February 28, 1976 in Faulkton, South Dakota to Clyde and Judy (Parrow) Routledge. Joel attended kindergarten through 4th grade at Lansford Public School. He attended the Anne Carlsen School in Jamestown, graduating from 8th grade there in 1990. Joel returned home to go to high school, graduating from Glenburn High School in 1994. From September 1994 through June 1995, Joel went to the Courage Center in Minneapolis. In June of 1995, Joel returned to Fargo. He attended Northwest Technical College and received and Associate Degree in Business. For the past 17 years, Joel has worked for Noridian in Fargo. Those who knew Joel, know he was an avid sports fan. From the time he was small, the Boston Celtics, New York Mets, and Miami Dolphins were his teams. When his brothers, began to play sports, he was always their number one fan cheering on the Lansford Cubs, and then the Glenburn Panthers. Since living in Fargo, the NDSU Bison were always cheered on by him and in the summer, the RedHawks baseball team. Joel loved his family. His nieces and nephews were very special to him. He was loved by anyone who knew him and he will be greatly missed. Joel is survived by his parents, Clyde and Judy of Lansford; brothers, Doug (Dawn Rittenbach), of Fargo, and Greg (Jenni) of Minot; nieces and nephews, Zachary, Samantha, and Alexa Routledge of Fargo, and Julia and William Routledge of Minot; grandfather, Don Parrow of Minot; many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Joel was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Clarence and Beatrice Routledge; and maternal grandmother, Carol Parrow. There will be a funeral service at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, March 22, 2016 at Flame of Faith United Methodist Church, West Fargo with a visitation one hour prior. There will be a visitation from 1-4:00 PM with a family service following at 4:00 PM on Friday, March 25, 2016 at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home in Minot. The funeral service will be at 10:30 AM on Saturday, March 26, 2016 at Trinity United Church in Lansford, ND. Burial at the Lansford Cemetery.

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  1. It is with a heavy heart that I send Joel’s family my condolences. I was fortunate to have worked with Joel for the past 10 years at Noridian. Joel and I used to bet each other when the Mets/Yankees played as well as NC/Duke. Often times we would end up with double or nothing bets. It being tournament time, we always would fill out brackets. Although we didn’t this year, I am sure if he got his filled out, he is doing better than me as usual. Joel always had a smile on his face and a friendly good morning when he would arrive at work. I will miss him dearly!! May you all find comfort knowing he is in a much better place and no longer has to endure pain and suffering.

  2. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Joel was such a pleasure to be with and was very much a success in life. Rest in Peace Joel!!

  3. Joel — you were a lesson in courage and love. Your smile was worth a million bucks. Keep cheering for the Bison and the RedHawks. You and your family inspired many of us to always find the sunny side. Agape, Katherine

  4. Thinking of Joel and his Family. He will be missed by many!! I will always remember the love Joel had for sports. Such a great person! Prayers to all his friends and family at this difficult time.

  5. Sending my deepest sympathy to family and friends. May you be comforted in your grief and be reminded of how amazing Joel was.

  6. I will miss ur smiling face & jokes u told me. U r free now. Run play basketball & watch over ur family/friends.

  7. May he be in peace and We are so sorry for the family may God heal your sorrows at this time and alway

  8. I am so sorry for your loss. I graduated in the class of 98, but remember Joel fondly. We both went for special help and the learning center together. Even though I didn’t want to be there and we weren’t working on the same things, he’d always make me laugh when I was frustrated with my math. He was such a bright light and happy at school. Praying for you as you grieve.

  9. So sorry for your loss..We remember Joel as a young man cheering on his brothers..such a sweet young man…

  10. So sorry for the loss of your loved one. Can’t imagine what you are going through. Will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Take care.

  11. My condolences. I went to high school with Joel. He was a great guy and will surly be missed.

  12. When I was in 7th and 8th grade, I had the pleasure of seeing Joel every day for an hour in Mrs. Strietz’s room. Our goto conversation topic was always sports, and no matter how my day was going, it was always made after that hour. He was such a positive and beautiful soul. Rest in peace, Joel. My love thoughts and prayers go out to the Routledge family and all who loved him.

  13. I miss working with Joel so much. He always had something cheerful to say every morning no matter what he was going through. He told me once that the theme song for the movie Rockie was kind of his theme song. It was a perfect symbol of his determination and desire to win. He seemed invincible. He will be missed by many.

  14. In loving sympathy God bless Joel’s memory. He was a outstanding young man. Always smiling and showing his love for family and friends. Sincerely, Diane and Meyer Kinnoin

  15. My deepest sympathy for Joel’s family and friends. One of the kindest souls I’ve ever known. Positive, happy, and enjoying life every day. Joel always had a smile to give you when you stopped by his desk. Joel gave a lot to a lot of people – Thank you Joel.

  16. I worked with Joel and he was always so pleasant and thoughtful and was always ready to lend a hand. When I was new with the company, if I messed something up, he would very patiently come over and help me straighten it out every time. Joel will be missed.

  17. Prayers and sympathy to Joel’s family. I met him in a Bible study and we were friends ever since. I’ll see him in Heaven.

  18. I worked with Joel at Noridian and he and such a great laugh. He was always making me smile and he was a dear friend I will cherish the time I worked with Joel and never forget his smile and kind heart. I am so sorry for your loss and my prayers are with you and your family at this time

  19. To Joel’s family,
    I was blessed to meet Joel about 10 years ago when working for CLS, and I have been lucky to call him a friend ever since. He was a great man who changed the world for the better, and he was a blessing to everyone that knew him. We even found out we are long lost relatives (my grandma was Irene Parrow). He is one of the most thoughtful, kind, and caring people I have ever met. Thank you for supporting him with love and helping him to shine his light so brightly here on Earth. He will be remembered with love always.

  20. I have worked with Joel for the past 17 years at Noridian. I can honestly say he is one of a kind. Never did he complain, never did he take illness as a crutch, never did he ever say a negative word about anyone or anything for that matter. I have never known a kinder soul that was as generous as Joel. I saw a Dolphins hat at the salon yesterday and kept looking at it. I thought of him right when I saw it. I hadn’t heard of his passing until later. I will miss getting his “e Hallmark birthday cards” and his laughter. Prayers for peace for your family.

  21. Judy and Clyde & family,
    I am so sad to hear about Joel. I feel very privileged to have been his preschool teacher, so many years ago. His smile, laughter and strength amazed me. You should be very proud of everything he accomplished. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

    Vicki Boehnke

  22. I was very shocked and saddened to hear of Joel’s passing. He was one of the nicest persons I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. Always had a smile on his face, always there if you needed him. We lived in the same building for so many years now, and went to Northwest Tech at the same time, so yes we got to know each other very well.

    He will be missed here in the building, and at the games and by everybody that knew him. It’s such a sad loss for somebody so young. He was an inspiration to many handicapped people. My thoughts and prayers are with all the family and friends of this amazing young man.

    Darin Loken

  23. I will always remember Joel for being a great friend and just an amazingly great guy. He never complained about anything life threw at him. Very giving, he always thought about others and never thought twice about volunteering. I loved talking sports and going to sporting events with him. He just had this aura of kindness and will be missed forever. I’m grateful for knowing him these past 17 years.

  24. Sorry to hear of Joel’s passing. What a kind pleasant person he was. We enjoyed many laughs and conversation with Joel at Bison games and as a bus passenger. We always teased that we were going to make his wheel chair look like a bison.

  25. I was so saddened to learn of Joel’s passing. I didn’t know him well, but every time I saw him he always had a smile in his face and would ask how I was doing, always had a kind word. The world needs more people like him and it’s a great loss for all of us to lose such a gentle soul as his. He touched more people than he realized and will be missed.

    My condolences to his family. They are all in my thoughts and prayers.

  26. Grisel
    I am so sorry for your loss. Rest assured Joel is in our Almighty father, Jehovah’s memory. He promises in Isaiah 33:24 that the day will come when “no one will be sick”. The Bible also tells us about an upcoming resurrection where all our loved ones sleeping in death will have the opportunity to live in a peaceful earth just like He intended from the beginning (John 5:28&29). That promise and many more will be fulfilled under that heavenly government that Jesus asked his followers to pray for. Yes, His kingdom will be on earth as it is in heaven. Hold on to these promises and allow His word to comfort you during this sad time. I will have you in my prayers.

  27. I am so sorry to hear of Joel’s passing; the world could use many more people like him. Joel was a man that taught many people a lot, without saying much. His ability to persevere is unquestioned. His kind and patient heart will certainly be missed. I know you will be rooting for the Bison from your seat in heaven Joel. RIP.

  28. I have only had the pleasure of working with Joel the last 5 months at Noridian but he always had a smile on his face and happy to see everyone at work. He just had that personality that made you want to know more about him and talk with him about what ever it was on you mind for that moment. He was a blessing to get to know and work with. I also think that a lot of us need to learn from him that what ever is dealt to us in life always has to have a good side to it too. Peace to his family and we will miss him just as much as you will but he is in a better place now and doesn’t have to put up with all that pain and suffering that he has been dealt in life. HUGS

  29. I started work at Noridian in the same department as Joel and worked with him for a few years until switching departments. Joel would come to our Noridian softball games and I saw him many times at Redhawks and other events. I will miss him greatly!

  30. I worked with Joel in Correspondence Control/Preprocess on D.D.’s team. I enjoyed working with Joel. He was a genuine and caring coworker and friend. I loved his laugh.

  31. To Joel’s family and friends:
    I’m so sorry to read of Joel’s death. It seems despite the physical challenges he faced, he maintained a zest for life and and a love for people. Being a full time minister, I’m reminded of what Almighty God says at Revelation chap 21 verse 4-5. There promises an end to all sickness death and pain. Also at another place in Revelation he promises to restore life to many who have died. These promises and many more will become a reality when Gods Kingdom rules this earth as it does heaven. So as you reflect of your memories of Joel, remember Gods Promise. I’ll pray for your family.

  32. I was a nurse at Anne Carlson School during the time Joel attended. He was such a joy, a pleasure to be around and just a good, smiling optimistic kid. I extend my deepest sympathy to his family/friends.

  33. Joel was my uncle and godfather. To think that I’ll never spend another holiday with him is heartbreaking. It hurts even more that I won’t see him for a long time. It’s been two months and seventeen days since he passed away. But the pain still feels the same as the day he was announced deceased at the hospital. I’ll miss him, always and forever.

  34. Joel and I were cyber pen pals for a number of years but lost contact. We used to regularly email back and forth about the Dolphins and Mets, and with the Dolphins recent success, I decided to see whatever became if him.

    I am saddened to hear of his passing but more saddened to find out four years later. Joel and I never physically met, but he will be missed. My deepest sympathies to his family. RIP, my friend.


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