Emergency services and other supporters lined up from Louisville to Columbia as an escort of emergency crews and family brought home the body of Tony Grider Saturday.
Grider died Saturday morning from injuries he suffered while working for Campbellsville fire department on Aug. 21. The department had assisted with a cold water challenge on the campus of Campbellsville University. Grider and another firefighter, Alex Quinn, were in the bucket portion of an aerial ladder truck when electrical energy arced from a nearby power line, shocking both men. Two other firefighters suffered from minor injuries after providing assistance.
Grider had remained in critical condition since the accident.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the Columbia Christian Church. Visitation begins Tuesday at 1 a.m.
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS:
Anthony Lynn (Tony) Grider, 41, of Columbia, Kentucky, died Saturday, September 20, 2014 at 11:53 A.M. at University of Louisville Hospital in Louisville from injuries received on August 21, 2014 in Campbellsville
He was born February 23, 1973, in Adair County, to Orvis and Shirley Morgan Grider. Tony was a firefighter for Campbellsville Fire Department, attaining the rank of Captain, a firefighter for Columbia-Adair County Volunteer Fire Department and served as Training Officer for Campbellsville-Taylor County and Columbia-Adair County Fire Departments. He was a member of Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church, Columbia Lodge 96, a member of the Columbia-Adair County Parks and Recreation Board, a member of Adair County Search and Rescue Board of Directors and a former member of the Columbia City Council. He was also a part-time employee of Adair County, Campbellsville-Taylor County and Green County EMS. He was involved in many other community activities too numerous to mention.
Survivors include:
His wife – Gena Dabney Grider of Columbia
His parents – Orvis and Shirley Grider of Columbia
His children – Nicholas (Justyne) Dabney of Seattle, WA, Alexa and Courtney Quiroz, Jacob and Jordan Grider all of Columbia
His sister – Tammy Grider of New Albany, IN
His grandchild – Phoenix Dabney
His nephew – Josh (Heather) Grider of Columbia and his great-niece, Chloe Grider
Honorary Grandmother – Margaret Sparks of Columbia
Funeral service – Wednesday, September 24, 2014 at 11:00 A.M. CDT at Columbia Christian Church with Bro. Bodie Emerson and Chaplain Wayne Bishop officiating
Burial in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery with full firefighter honors
Visitation after 1:00 P.M. CDT Tuesday at Columbia Christian Church
Masonic rites will precede the funeral service by Columbia Lodge 96
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a donation to Supporting Heroes, American Diabetes Association or National Society for Pku
Casket Bearers: Eric Townsend, Nicholas Dabney, Joe Pippin, Mike Mardis, Chief Kyle Smith, Keith Bricken
Grissom-Martin Funeral Home in charge of arrangements
