Joshua Joe Brown

Joshua "Josh" Joe Brown (Ciotta), 29, passed away Saturday, January 1, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. Born in Dallas, Texas on December 3, 1981, Josh was the son of Charles John Ciotta and Danna Brown Cross and stepfather, Mike Cross. At the age of one, Josh moved to New Orleans, Louisiana and lived in Shreveport, Louisiana eight years before moving to Abilene in the fourth grade. He graduated from Wylie High School in 2000, and since then had lived in Lubbock. He attended Texas Tech University from 2000 to 2003, and attended South Plains College from 2003 to 2005, receiving an associate degree in Video Production and Sound Board Technologies. Josh returned to Texas Tech University where he completed his degree in Spanish with minors in Philosophy and Architecture. He continued on at Texas Tech in the sciences with future plans to attend pharmacy school. At Wylie, Josh played football as a running back/linebacker in the 7th, 8th and 9th grades. As a sophomore, he moved to varsity football as guard/linebacker for three years, wearing the same number "79" as his father had years ago. Josh enjoyed fitness, working out regularly; loved his friends dearly; played the guitar; and enjoyed being an artist and drawing. Josh was very talented. He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, John Ciotta and Joe Pat Brown, and great grandparents. Josh is survived by his father, Charles John Ciotta and wife, Carol, of Buffalo, New York, and mother, Danna Cross and stepfather, Mike Cross, of Abilene. Josh had a large family here and in New York. In Texas he had three aunts and one uncle, and his grandmother - Debbie Macy and Bob of Post, Darla Sheppard and Rocky of Lamesa, Dee Ann Land and Mike of Hudson Oaks, and Mitch Hamer of Midland, and grandmother, Barbara Hamer of Abilene. His Italian family in New York consists of two aunts and one uncle, and his grandmother - Rose Ciotta Cultrara and Joseph of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Jane Wheeler and William of Buffalo, Peter Ciotta and Deborah of Buffalo, and grandmother, Carmela Ciotta of Buffalo. Josh was blessed with many cousins - Brandon Sheppard, Blaine Sheppard, Bree Culp, Manda Salladay, Kris Morris, Landon Hamer, Cameron Hamer, Nicholas Peter Cheer, Maria Wheeler, Melina Ciotta, Elena Ciotta and Peter John Ciotta. The family will receive friends at a visitation from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 4th, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 5th, at Beltway Park Baptist Church, 4009 Beltway South in Abilene officiated by Pastor Mike Hill. The interment and graveside service will be private. Pallbearers will be Adam Rampey, Jonathan Greer, Darren Tyler, Travis Adams, Fred Karlin, Brendan Tynan, Kaleb Clardy, Kelly Guinn, Curtis Conrad, Scott Wright, Jeremy Wolfe and Daniel Cowen. The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorials be made to the donor's charity of choice.