Joseph Jonathan “JJ” Furnace, 21, of Houston, Texas, passed away on June 22, 2024, in Katy, Texas. He is survived by his parents, Sophia and John Furnace; older siblings, Nick (Stephanie) Furnace, Anne Claire (Jared) Britton, Mary Elizabeth (Cesar) Lebron, Alec (Samantha) Furnace; his nephews, Caleb, Ethan, and Liam Furnace, Yiayia and Papou, Jane and Solomon Silva; aunt, Rosina (Peter) Thomas; uncle, Stanley (Denise) Silva; aunt, Suzanne (Robert Bowers) Dominey; cousins, Zachary, Jacob, Allision, Jessica, Janean, Erica, Brooke, Dylan and Luke; as well as numerous other family members. He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Frances and Nick Furnace.

JJ was welcomed on March 4, 2003, as the youngest member of a loud, proud, and loving family. He attended St. Thomas More Catholic School until the third grade before he attended Western Academy in House of the Water. Western Academy is a place where climbing trees and having Nerf gun wars is encouraged, which fit him to a “T”. Here, he made friends for life - Joey Davidson, Joseph Edmonds, and Matthew Saye (also known as “the boys”). In 2021 he graduated from Lamar High School. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the US Marine Corps and graduated boot camp as an Expert Marksman in May of 2022. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton in San Deigo, California before he was stationed at the military base in Honolulu, Hawaii where he served as a Mortarman. He was then deployed to the Philippines before returning to Hawaii. JJ enjoyed anything sports-related, but he was most passionate about football. However, thanks to Coach Monks and Coach Wolfie, rugby soon took center stage as his favorite pastime in his later years. JJ will be missed dearly by all who knew him. His family will most miss his presence, witty humor, attention to style, and love of sharing new music.

As this is a celebration of life colorful attire is encouraged. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 1, 2024 at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 1801 Sage Rd, Houston, TX 77056 with Fr. Wayne Wilkerson officiating. A Rosary and visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at 1:45 p.m. at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr. Houston, TX 77038.

For those of you who are unable to attend the funeral will be live streamed and accessed with the link below.

In place of flowers please make memorial donations to Nativity Academy of Houston.