Submitted by his Wife

Jeffrey Matthew Murray
Sharon Township Fire Department – Ohio
Classification:Volunteer
Rank:Firefighter
Date of Death:February 13‚ 2007
Age:40

Jeffrey Matthew Murray was a loving husband and father. He was also a friend to everyone he met and was known as helping anyone who asked. Jeff graduated from Norwalk High School in 1984. He married his high school sweetheart‚ Chery in the fall of that year. Together‚ they had two children‚ Joshua and Abbey. Jeff served for four years in the United States Navy. He worked on a nuclear submarine‚ the USS Alabama‚ and served as a Chaplain’s Assistant. Jeff began his career with the Electrical Power Industry in 1988 with Ohio Edison. Through hard work and dedication he climbed the ranks and eventually became a Systems Operator with First Energy.

Jeff’s passion was firefighting. He became a Volunteer Fireman with the Medina Township Fire Department in 1998. He served with them until he moved for work to Chattanooga‚ Tennessee in 2001. Jeff and his family came back to Ohio in 2006. He immediately went back to firefighting with the Sharon Township Fire Department. Jeff died unexpectedly of a massive heart attach while serving on February 13‚ 2007. He was forty years old.

Jeff will always be remembered as a hard working‚ fun-loving‚ caring‚ man. If you were ever in need‚ Jeff would have been the first one there. He loved and cared about his family deeply. Although he was taken from us unexpectedly‚ he will always be loved and remembered.

Submitted by his Mother

Jeff had one year of service in the fire department. He served in the U.S. Navy and worked for Ohio Edison for over 20 years.

He is survived by his wife‚ Cheryl; son‚ Joshua; daughter‚ Abigail; his mother‚ Carol Wetherill; his father‚ Mike Murray; brothers Bryon Murray‚ Craig Murray and his sister Amy Brady.

Jeff was one of the most helpful people. He never said no to anyone who asked for his help. He made others feel loved and welcomed. He was a people person…giving more than what he ever asked back for himself.

He loved the outdoors‚ golfing and the OSU Buckeyes.

He is so sadly missed by his family‚ friends and neighbors.

Submitted by a Co-worker

Throughout our careers we encounter calls that shape our lives‚ nothing more so than working on one of our own. Several members of the Sharon Township Fire Department responded to the home of fellow Firefighter Jeffrey Murray on February 13‚ 2007. Upon our arrival we found Jeff pulse less and apneic. The outcome was not what we had hoped for.

Jeff‚ 40‚ leaves behind his wife of 22 years Cheryl and children Abby and Josh. Jeff was a member of the Medina Township Fire Department for 2 years before relocating to Chattanooga‚ Tennessee. He recently moved back to the area and joined Sharon Township Fire Department.

Jeff‚ in his short time with our department‚ left his mark. Very rarely do you come across an individual as genuine as Jeff. He always had a smile on his face and a kind word for all. He was our gentle giant. He will be missed by his fire department family at Sharon and Medina Township.

While the loss of Jeff is heavy in our hearts‚ it is important that we take something away from this tragedy. Jeff has touched us all and taught us to put aside our differences because above all else we are a family and like most families we don’t always get along‚ but at the end of the day we’re still brothers and sisters.

So‚ we are paying it forward and I hope each of you do the same.

Here’s to you‚ brother!