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Remembering Howard CJ Fortner August 9, 1960 - August 24, 2018

While the information contained in this news article was current and accurate when we posted it, it may not necessarily represent current WVOEMS policy or procedure. If you have any questions, please contact our office at 304-558-3956.

Posted: Friday, August 31, 2018 3:07 PM

Howard CJ Fortner

Howard CJ Fortner

August 9, 1960 - August 24, 2018

Burial Date:September 1, 2018

Services will be held at the Church of God Family Worship Center. The wake for family and friends will be Friday, August 31st, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The funeral with full EMS Honors will be on Saturday, September 1st, at 11:00 am, with Reverend Juddie Buckley officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be those who thought of C.J. as a second father and friends, as well as his Jan Care family. The family extends their deepest gratitude and thanks to Jan Care Ambulance for their love and support during this time.

Howard C (C.J.) Fortner, age 58, of Cool Ridge, WV, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, August 24, 2018. C.J. Was born in Frankfort, KY, and was the son of the late Iva M. Richmond Fortner. He was the Assistant Chief of Operations at Jan Care Ambulance for 23 years and was a member of the Beckley First Church of the Nazarene.

C.J. was preceded in death by his mother, Iva Fortner; wife, Karen Foley Fortner; father-in-law Chester Foley and mother-in-law, Doris Foley.

Those left to cherish his memory are his children, Andrew Fortner, his wife Katie, Derrick Fortner, and his wife Kayla of Cool Ridge, WV; brothers-in-law David and Alan Foley of Beckley, WV; sisters Melinda and her husband Tim of Lewisburg, WV; Tillie Fortner of Neola, WV; Jessica Lynne Price of Beckley, WV; brother Butch Richmond of Matthews, VA, also several nieces and nephews.

As told by his dear friend and co-worker, Mike Harper: "The journey began on August 9th, 1960. As with many of us, he fumbled his way through life. He soon found himself deeply involved in the fire services which led him to one of the most selfless callings on this earth. C.J. dove into EMS with all he had. He obtained his EMT certification and put that to use with the Fire Department at Ghent. He soon realized that by becoming a Paramedic that he could help more people in a more definitive way. He obtained his Paramedic certification and came to work at Jan Care in November of 1994. He never faltered in his mission to help people. Quite the contrary, he was very instrumental in the development of the Team Quality Management Council. Soon after the terrorist attacks on 9-11, the state of West Virginia developed the Regional Response Teams throughout the state and C.J. attended and successfully completed all the necessary requirements to make the team and was very energetic in his participation. C.J. selflessly deployed to Louisiana in wake of Hurricane Katrina and devoted that time to assist citizens in a completely different state.

Some will say that the measurement of a man is what mark he made while here on earth. I know the footsteps he made have been and will be followed by many. He had a kind heart and was quick of mind in the determination of each emergency that came his way. He accomplished much more than could ever be listed.

As the song goes, "It's not what you take when you leave this world, but what you leave behind!" this fits C.J. He left a legacy in which it will take a very special person to carry on. He was proud of his sons, Andrew and Derrick, with good reason.

C.J. had a positive impact on everyone he came in contact with including his friends. He touched the lives of so many with his kind and selfless heart. He was a wonderful father, husband, son, brother, and friend. He will be greatly missed by all."

Jimmy Sadler