Lt. James Kenneth Embrey

James “Jimmy” Kenneth Embrey was born in Washington, D.C. on September 20, 1946 to the late William Moncure Embrey and the late Marie Gregory Payne Embrey. Jimmy went home to be with our Lord on January 9, 2022 at the age of 75. 

Jimmy was preceeded in death by his parents William and Marie Embrey, the love of his life Millie Embrey, his infant daughter Cheri Lee Embrey and his brother Robert S. Embrey.

Jimmy is survived by his wife, Stephanie Embrey, his daughter Monica Embrey (Billy), his son Bryan Embrey (Graciela) and his 7 grandchildren, Brandon Staats, Kenneth Staats, William Glorius, Bryanna Staats, Aric Embrey, Anthony Staats, Liliana Embrey and his brother Retired DCFD Battalion Fire Chief, William H. Embrey.

After his wife Millie’s death, Jimmy was lucky enough to find love again with Stephanie Embrey. He is also survived by his step-children; Donna Patterson, Barbara Weaver (Jim), Diana Patterson, Jon Patterson (Carlita) and their children and grandchildren: 

Nicholas Furr, Dylan Furr, Sarah Dabral (Ashish), Allison Weaver (Joel), Yania (Lorenzo, Sr), Jaxxon Dabral, Emmerson Dabral, Lorenzo, Jr. and Kataleya.

Jimmy is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and his family from the Washington, D.C. Fire Department. 

Jimmy enlisted in the United States Navy in February, 1966 and was stationed in Gaeta, Italy on the USS Little Rock CLG-4 until his honorable discharge with the rank of Damage Controlman Second Class in October of 1969.

Jimmy was a volunteer with the City of Alexandria Fire Department prior to his appointment with the D.C. Fire Department. He also worked for the Thomas Somerville Company where he met Millie. Jimmy and Millie also worked together at Conklyn’s Florist when it was located in the Pentagon and he also later worked for Northern Virginia Wholesale Florist. 

Jimmy’s life-long dream was to become a Washington, D.C. firefighter just like his Uncle Sumpter & brother Bill. 

On May 14, 1972, that dream came true! Jimmy was stationed at Truck 6 (in Columbia Heights) where he was a Private and tillerman. In October of 1980 , he was promoted to truck driver for Truck 6, and in June 1991 he was promoted to Sergeant and transferred to Truck 4 (Shaw Neighborhood). July 1992, he was transferred to Truck 15 and in September of 1995, he was promoted to Lieutenant and transferred to Truck 9. After a long and wonderful career, on December 30, 2000, Jimmy retired as Lieutenant from Truck 9. Although Jimmy loved each firehouse he was assigned, Truck 6 was always his first love. It meant the world to him that he was able to make a trade and work his last shift at his beloved Truck 6. 

After his retirement, Jimmy stayed involved with the D.C. Fire Department by becoming the President of the FFA (Friendship Fire Association), the Curator to the Washington D.C. Fire Museum, and helping to run the canteen unit at large fires which provides active firefighters with much needed nourishment while on the job. 

Jimmy was considered one of the Department's top "subject matter experts" on the fine art of truck work.  He was also one of the foremost experts on the history and apparatus of the DCFD, devoting countless hours to working with the Department and the FFA Museum to document and preserve their heritage. 

On top of all of this, Jimmy was also a life member of the Emerald Society Firefighters of Washington, DC and a member of the USS Little Rock Association. 

Jimmy is well loved and respected by all who knew him, and he will be greatly missed.

A visitation for James will be held Tuesday, January 18, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Murphy Funeral Homes, 4510 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22203. A visitation will occur Wednesday, January 19, 2022 from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM, 4510 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22203.

A funeral service will occur Wednesday, January 19, 2022 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 4510 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22203.

A graveside service will occur Wednesday, January 19, 2022 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at MT Olivet Cemetery, 1300 Bladensburg Rd NE, Washington, DC 20002.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.murphy-funeralhomes.com for the Embrey family.