Fire fighters association honors the late Ray Worthington
The Coshocton County Fire Fighters Association presented a plaque at its Nov. 19 meeting to honor the late Ray Worthington, who was a fire fighter for 52 years in Conesville. The plaque was presented by Nate Sweitzer, who serves with the Jackson Township Fire Department and is president of the fire fighters association, to firefighters from the department in Conesville. Pictured from left, row one are: Sweitzer, Devin Donley, Mike Haendiges; row two – Randy March, Ty Stewart, John Thompson, and Randy Medley. Josie Sellers | Beacon
CONESVILLE – The late Ray Worthington dedicated a huge part of his life to the FCV Volunteer Fire Department in Conesville. On Nov. 19, the Coshocton County Fire Fighters Association honored Worthington, who passed away in January 2018, for his service to others during a special presentation at their meeting.
“He taught everybody in here a lot about firefighting,” said Randy March, chief of the FCV Volunteer Fire Department.
Worthington started with the fire department in 1966 and served as chief from 1985 to 2010 when March took over.
“He (Worthington) was a well liked man and was respected,” March said.
Worthington was active in the County Chief’s Association, County Firefighters Association, Coshocton County Local Emergency Planning Committee, and was a lifetime member of the Conesville United Methodist Church. In 2006, he was named the Conesville Volunteer of the Year and in 2017, he was recognized as the First Responder of the Year for Coshocton County.
“The fire department, his church and his family were his life,” March said.
Worthington is survived by his wife Zoe, who was unable to attend the presentation of a plaque that will hang in the FCV Volunteer Fire Department. The plaque reads, “In memory of Chief Ray Worthington, 52 years of service 1966-2018, 25 years as chief 1985-2010.”
“I think I’m going to get pictures of all the chiefs we’ve had made and hang them up with this,” March said.
Below the spot on the wall March has picked out is a bench honoring Worthington that was made by the Three Rivers Fire Department. A golden ax presented to Worthington when he retired hangs in a display case on the same wall and March said they still have his helmet and turnout gear.
“I don’t think I’d be where I’m at without Ray. I was his assistant for 25 years and I learned a lot from him. He sure is missed.”
Category: People & Places
