Joshua Paul "Josh" Cruse, 44, died Tuesday, September 28, 2021, at Ascension Via Christi, Wichita. He was born January 3, 1977, in Hutchinson, to Terry W. and Lora J. (Goering) Cruse.

Josh attended Nickerson and Hutchinson High School.  He was an iconic tattoo artist for 25 plus years, well known and sought after in the tattoo community for his phenomenal God given artistry.  Individuals traveled from far and wide just to receive and wear artwork from Josh Cruse.

He is survived by:  children, Colby, Collin, Isabella and Jackson; parents, Lora Hardacre and husband, Charles Harmony, Terry Cruse and wife, Elynor; sister, Annie Becker and husband, Jon; nieces, Hailey and Allie Becker; half-sister, Hollie Lauterio and husband, Brocc; niece and nephew, Brooke and Boston Lauterio; and former wife, Rebecca Cox Cruse.

He was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Robert and Vonda Cruse, and maternal grandparents, Ralph and Marietta Goering.

Celebration of Life service will be 2 p.m. Saturday, October 9, 2021, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1602 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS with The Reverend Dr. Kim Biery presiding. Masks will be required for this service.

Friends may sign his book weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Elliott Mortuary. The family will greet friends until 4:00 p.m., following his service.

Josh's service will be recorded, and can be viewed at the bottom of his obituary on the Elliott Mortuary website, beginning Tuesday, October 12, 2021.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Joshua Cruse Memorial Fund, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS  67501.

Josh's work was admired by everyone, young and old alike.  His tattoo legacy will live on through the thousands of tattoos that grace multitudes of individuals.