John "Jack" Furey

Jack Furey, 85, born in Carbondale PA, December 29,1938, passed into God’s hands on May 23, 2024, in University Place, WA. Jack, a retired detective from the Thurston County Sheriff's Office was also a retired Command Sergeant Major with 26 years of active Army service. A veteran of three combat tours in Vietnam, he served as a door gunner, advisor with the 37th and 39th Vietnam ranger battalions and as a senior medical advisor to the commanding general of the Delta Military Forces. He also served overseas in Korea, Germany and at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Belgium.

Jack’s 22 decorations and awards included: Combat Medical Badge, Aircraft Crewman Badge, Expert Rifleman Badge, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Soldiers Medal for Heroism, Air Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, NCOES Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medals, Vietnam Battle Ribbon with Stars, the Cross of Gallantry, Vietnam Service Medal and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.

Highlights of his Army career included selection as medical corpsman for three different United States Presidents, Eisenhower, Johnson, and Kennedy. He also served as Command Sergeant Major at three different Army Medical Centers: Letterman in the Presidio of San Francisco, CA, Fitzsimmons in Aurora, CO and Madigan in Pierce County, WA where he advised General Officers pertaining to enlisted personnel. Additionally, he served as a Commanding Officer of three different units while simultaneously being the unit’s First Sergeant.

Community activities and memberships included: Manager for T-Ball programs, twice serving as an American Legion Post Commander in Germany and Arizona, lifetime VFW member, Gold Wing Road Riders Club, Blue Knights Motorcycle Club, and the Knights of Columbus 4th Degree.

Earlier in his retirement, Jack was an active volunteer with St. Michael’s church, the Thurston County Sheriff’s handicapped parking enforcement program and Catholic Community Services. His hobby was photography and he loved animals.

Jack is survived by his wife of almost 65 years, Nancy, his three children: his oldest daughter Colleen Toppins of Gainesville, FL, his son Patrick Furey of Chehalis, WA and his youngest daughter, Suzanne Wilson of Olympia, WA. Jack had six grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.

A graveside service will be held at 10AM on May 30, 2024, at the Mills & Mills Funeral Home and Memorial Park on Littlerock Road in Tumwater, WA. Rememberances may be made to the “Make A Wish Foundation” of Washington. Jack’s departure will be a time of sadness for all who loved him. God bless him.