Cumberland lost a true force of love and goodness on September, 12, 2018.

CJ worked for Cumberland at the Fire & Apparatus shop before joining the Tractor Parts team. He was affectionately known as Buttercup to some and he certainly brightened our days. We will miss him. CJ served his community as a volunteer fire fighter at Pleasant View VFD and was an active member of 24Church. CJ leaves behind a wonderful wife and two beautiful little girls.

As we know details about his memorial service we will share them. Please keep his family and friends in your prayers.

Chief Trey Nelms of Pleasant View Volunteer Fire Department shared with us the details of CJ’s time with as a firefighter.

CJ joined the Pleasant View Volunteer Fire Department (PVVFD) as a Volunteer Firefighter in August of 2015. He remained an active member of our organization until his passing. From the beginning, you could tell CJ’s personality and heart was as huge as his stature. Throughout his service with the PVVFD, CJ had become more than just a valued member of the team. He was a friend to all, and a person you could count on regardless of the circumstances.

 

CJ pulled shifts often, and most recently could be found pulling weekend shifts, even though he had already put in a full week at this full-time job with Cumberland Tractor. C.J. was growing in his fire service career, as he was in the final stages of becoming a Driver/Operator for our larger, more complicated apparatus. Just last weekend (9-8-18), CJ challenged his first level of fire certification tests, where he successfully completed his Haz-Mat Operations practical and earned his Haz-Mat awareness certification.

 

CJ was willing to serve in any capacity, and made a difference to not only the communities and people we serve, but to his “fire” family as well. We feel extremely blessed that Shelli and the girls shared him with us the last 3 years. He will be greatly missed by the PVVFD and it’s members, but we are better for knowing him.

For those who would like to support CJ’s family through this difficult time, you can donate to his fundraiser.