Submitted by his parents Joshua Brandon EarleyAge 23Firefighter I
Josh was a 23-year old Charlotte Fire Fighter. He was also a member of the Harrisburg Volunteer Fire Department. He had also been a member of Flowes Store Volunteer Fire Department and a member of Midland Volunteer Fire Department.
On March 4‚ 2002‚ Harrisburg Fire Department answered a call to a house fire in Mechlenburg County. Josh and three other firemen entered the house through the front door. The fire was in the basement. Josh went through the floor into the burning basement. The three firemen pulled him out. He was airlifted to CMC Hospital. A short time later he was airlifted to the Carolinas Burn Center in Chapel Hill. He lived about 49 hours.
Josh was a graduate of Central Cabarrus High School where he was a member of the high school marching band. During the last two years in schools he was a member of the Flowes Store Volunteer Fire Department. At that time his goal became to be a professional Fire Fighter.
Since Josh’s untimely death‚ multitudes of organzations and individuals have honored him with heartfelt memorials. The Cabarrus Board of County Commissioners recommended part of NC 24/27 be renamed the ‘Joshua B. Earley Memorial Highway.’ Josh will be one of the four men depicted on the N.C. Fallen Firefighters Memorial. Two scholarships are set up in Josh’s memory at UNC Charlotte Fire Safety Engineer Technology.
He is survived by his parents‚ Kenneth and Margaret Earley‚ and brother‚ Brad‚ and his wife‚ Ashelyn Earley.
To Mr. & Mrs. Earley,I have not forgotten Josh’s spirit of determination, his quiet way, his respectful nature, or his sacrifice for his fellow man. May it bring you comfort that he lives on in our memories.John D. Lomonaco Asst Chief HFD
– John D. LomonacoI never met Josh, he died in March, And I was born in May of the next year. However though I never met him, I have heard the stories, and my grandmother has told me all about him and all of the great things that he did, like playing by the trombone solo in the national band championship. Recently, me and my family were given a race car hood, with josh’s picture on the hood, and signatures from 50+ fellow firefighters and many of his friends. And in his trombone is in its case in our attic.
– Brandon Earley