Joseph Thomas O’Hearn, 59, died after a battle with cancer on Friday, February 20, 2026, at his home in Bellevue, Washington. Joe was born to Patrick and Tena O’Hearn on August 24, 1966, in Seattle, Washington. Joe’s parents played a pivotal role in Joe’s passions for music and nature, and as one of ten children, his siblings helped shape him as well. Joe was a 1984 graduate of Juanita High School in Kirkland, Washington. There he excelled in football, having adopting a love of the game from older brother Jim. He was also influenced by his older sister Trish’s passion for gymnastics, even petitioning to join Inglemoor High School’s gymnastics team because Junaita didn’t have one. After that, Joe could be seen doing back flips everywhere he went. Inspired again by siblings Jim and Trish, Joe and his younger brother Mike dove into the world of bodybuilding. In 1986, at the Men’s Teenage Western Washington event, Mike took 1st place and Joe came in 2nd –one of those moments Joe never stopped being proud of. Joe would always be there to support and cheer on his younger brother’s career. That was Joe’s style. In 1988 he went to work for Lang Manufacturing, where he met Ray, a longtime friend and mentor, and became close friends with Adam and Eddie, who shared his love of fishing. In 1992, at the age of 25, he married Sherri Ward, and they made their home in Mountlake Terrace, where they soon added pet boa constrictors, JD and Floyd, and rescue dogs, Jack, Missy and Brody. They shared a significant part of their lives together for the next 18 years, much of which was spent camping and fishing, appreciating the beauty and wildlife of Washington. They remained significant members of each other’s families. Returning to school later in life, he earned a degree in Business Management and Technology in 2015, at age 49. He was proud of himself for tackling the new experiences and challenges he faced during this period. It was also during this time that he met his love and partner, Katie Carter. Joe and Katie shared a love of exploring and adventuring and most importantly, spending time with family. Joe considered Katie’s parents, Paul and Kathy as his own, and they made epic memories in Ocean Shores and Hawaii with the whole family. In 2018, Joe began working at Autel Robotics as a Drone Service Engineer. As the saying goes, “If you choose a job you love, you never work a day in your life,” and that was true for Joe. At Autel, he made friendships that became family: his best friend Jimmy, his friend and pool partner Greg, and Max, who he felt was like a son. Joe took great pride in Max’s learning to fish and play piano. Through his work with drones, he found joy in capturing nature from a bird’s-eye view and letting his creativity shine by creating music videos to share with friends and family. An accomplished fisherman, fly fishing brought Joe the most meaning and peace, a state of deep connection with nature. He counted his fishing partners like Eddie and Rich, among his closest friends. Even if they spoke infrequently, on the water not a day had passed they hadn’t been close. Music was equally central to his life. He began playing piano in high school (when he wasn’t on the football field or gymnastics floor) and developed a deep love for Beethoven, especially the Emperor Concerto and Moonlight Sonata. Later, he learned to play guitar and sing. Joe was influenced by Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin. About this time, Joe and Adam decided to collaborate on Joe’s vision for two concept albums. As a result Wicked Snakebite was formed, and Sundays became music night in the studio. Another dream realized and goal achieved. Joe invested in his family and friends and made it a priority to stay connected. Over the years, he was the instigator for family baseball games and later regular pool nights with friends and Cousin Kevin. He had a gift for building and maintaining genuine relationships, like Chuck, his best friend from second grade and the people he met in everyday life: at the bank, the diner and while checking in at Virginia Mason Hospital. He wouldn’t just tell us their names, he’d tell us something about them, and somehow they went from service person to friend. Another quote Joe loved was from the Dalai Lama: “The purpose of our lives is to be happy.” That is how Joe lived, always ready to share a smile and always upbeat. While he did not actively practice religion throughout his life, he was always grounded in his own spirituality and beliefs. He said he was content with life knowing, “The Lord has a plan.” Joe was unwavering in his gratitude for his friends and family, repeatedly expressing how fortunate he felt to be surrounded by people who had cared for him and stood by him throughout his life. Joe is preceded in death by his father, Patrick, and mother, Tena. He is survived by his siblings Seth, Anna, Mary, John, Kate, Jim, Trish, Mike, and Rose; nephews and nieces Joshua, Calli, Thor, Hunter, Arianna, and Titan; Grandnephew and grandnieces and many cousins, all important in his life. Joe chose to be cremated, and asked that his ashes be scattered at two of his favorite fishing locations: Pass Lake in Anacortes and the Columbia River near Skamokawa Vista Park. Please contact his family if you’d like to be included in those arrangements. His wish for a small gathering to celebrate his life will take place at a later date. He asked for his extended family and friends to celebrate him by remembering his contentment, happiness, and gratitude, and carrying that forward in their lives. In lieu of flowers please send donations in Joe’s name to Disabled American Veterans www.dav.org or National Fallen Firefighters Foundation www.firehero.org "Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal" May his noble soul be at the right hand of God.