Matthew Aaron Hammer
Grayback Forestry‚ Inc.‚ USDA Forest Service contractor – Oregon
Career Firefighter
Date of Death: August 5‚ 2008 Age: 23
Matt was born September 9‚ 1984‚ in Santa Cruz‚ California. He grew up in Ukiah‚ California‚ and moved to Grants Pass‚ Oregon‚ in 1999. He graduated from Grants Pass High School in 2003.
Friends and family describe him as having a great sense of humor‚ being humble‚ level-headed‚ relaxed‚ competitive‚ and always watching out for others. He enjoyed whitewater rafting‚ backpacking‚ shooting guns‚ playing basketball and football‚ traveling‚ playing games‚ and spending time with friends and family.
He had just graduated in May 2008 from Corban College‚ with a multidisciplinary major focused on psychology and business. He married his college sweetheart‚ Monica Crumley‚ on June 28‚ 2008. After returning from the honeymoon and spending additional time with family‚ he began his last season fighting fire. He died with eight others in a tragic helicopter crash while fighting a fire in northern California.
He leaves behind his father‚ Rick Hammer; mother‚ Debbie Hammer; three sisters‚ Crystal‚ Melody‚ and Sarah; and his wife‚ Monica.
Matt will always be remembered because he lived as a hero.
Your life was a gift, much shorter than we would have wanted, but I’m thankful for the time that we had with you and the many lives that you touched.
– crystalThank you for sharing the love of Jesus Christ. Matt was like a brother to me.
– rickStill remember playing basketball with you at Lawnridge Park. Will never forget you man, still crushed by your loss. May you RIP
– Shane