Jerry “Catfish” Earnest, of McLean, Virginia, passed away on October 25, 2020, at the Virginia Hospital Center at the age of 68. During his time with the Ashburn Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department (Company 6), he served as Sergeant and Chief Engineer. Catfish (as he was known) enjoyed nothing more than being with his Tuesday night duty crew and the “day crew” of Lieutenant Dan, Ray, Jr., and Anne Marie. When not firefighting, he always gave freely of his time at the station whether it be for open houses, pancake breakfasts, oyster dinners, or driving Santa around on the big rig to pass out candy during the Christmas holidays. Jerry was honored to have been chosen for the Costello Award as Volunteer Firefighter of the Year in 1996. In 2008, he was inducted as a lifetime member of the Department.
To leave a tribute for Jerry “Catfish” Earnest or to view his complete obituary, please visit: https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/18818968/Jerry-R-Earnest
Catfish was a great guy, true fireman and he will be missed by all of us who were lucky enough to know him.
I was Best Man at his Wedding. We lost track with each other over the past 40 years. I was sorry to read of his passing. He always had a “service above self” mindset.. Eternal Memory