Joshua Isaiah Wade Kemp-Milton, 25, of Allentown, died unexpectedly Jan. 8, 2024, in Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township.

Born April 25, 1998, in Brooklyn, N.Y., he was the son of Latisha Knight of Montgomery Village, Md., William Kemp of New York, N.Y., and the late Kevin Milton, who had resided in Far Rockaway, N.Y.

Lovingly known to most as Josh or JoJo, he grew up in Virginia and Maryland and enjoyed football and cooking.

His favorite NFL team was the NY Giants, which inspired him to pursue his passion for football.

In middle school, he played as a running back for a team called the SYA, and he proudly held this position until high school.

It was also during this time that he had one of the best experiences of his life when he met then-President Barack Obama.

Since then, he considered himself a great debater, and those who knew him could jokingly attest to this when he spoke about something he passionately believed in.

During his high school year, the family moved to Maryland, where he experienced some trials and tribulations.

However, with determination, he prevailed and graduated with honors from Northwest High School.

After graduation, he began his first job as a cook at Regal Movie Theater.

Although some would say he was simply heating food, he would argue otherwise and proudly proclaim that he was cooking.

Either way, his newly discovered joy paved the way to a career in culinary as a sous chef.

At age 21, he moved to Pennsylvania to pursue his lifelong dream.

While there, he met his soul mate, Calnisha, and to them was born his forever love, Virginia M.J. Milton, whom he cherished wholeheartedly as a devoted father.

The birth of his daughter inspired him in many ways, including overcoming his immense fear of flying.

With his audacious personality, he accomplished his goal in December 2023 when he flew to Hawaii to consider a career in the military.

Although he has left us, he will continue to live on through others as he has given the gift of life by donating his organs to six recipients, including an infant.

He is survived by his daughter, Virginia Mary Jean Milton; mother; father; siblings Dessy and Faith Kemp, Aisha Arizmendi, Kanton Callistro, Tre Milton, Jaheem Knight, Elijah and Matthew Kemp; fiancée, Calnisha Thomas; paternal grandparents Dennis and Claudia Milton; niece; nephews; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and other relatives and friends who loved him very much.

His memorial service will take place 3 p.m. Feb. 10 in Keller Funeral Home, 1018 Church St., Fogelsville.

Visitation 1-3 p.m. Interment will be private.

Condolences may be offered to the family at kellerfuneralhomes.com.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the funeral home to help defray expenses, c/o Keller Funeral Home, P.O. Box 52, Fogelsville, PA 18051.