My first memory of Jeff McClaskey was him patrolling the sidelines as an assistant coach in the North Montgomery girls’ basketball program.
My final memory was a conversation last week exactly about what you would expect — sports, mowing grass, and when we would be able to enjoy a meal inside a restaurant again.
It was a simple hello that turned into a 20 minute conversation — and we all know that was typical for Jeff.
I’m glad that I ran into him that day, and that I stood there in the rain continuing on the conversation despite being cold and wet. I had the privilege of getting to know Jeff over the past few years within my job at the Journal Review. He had become a big supporter of mine, often texting or calling me with a story idea or a ‘hey I really enjoyed that article.’
I considered Jeff a friend and colleague in the mowing and landscape business, and he had offered me a job on numerous occasions over the last couple of years.
On Monday, God had bigger plans for Jeff’s life. My heart broke for his family upon hearing the news. And then I realized how much he meant to our entire community, and in return how much this community meant to him.
Jeff was proud of Montgomery County, and wasn’t afraid to show it.
He was a standout on the hardwood at Southmont in the mid 1980s before playing basketball at Marian College in Indianapolis. Jeff was active in 4-H, St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, a Crawfordsville Country Club member, and a longtime supporter of both North Montgomery and Southmont athletics. He will be deeply missed by all of those communities, and many more.
When Kobe Bryant passed away in January, and the #girldad trend started on social media, Jeff was one of the first people I thought of.
Father of Lauren, Caroline, and Grace — husband of Kerrie.
I’ve had the honor to cover Grace as an athlete in both track and field and basketball at North Montgomery, Caroline is a student at Indiana University, and Lauren will be a bridesmaid in my wedding later this year.
All of us will remember Jeff in a different way, as he touched so many people in our community.
I will remember Jeff as a local business owner. A sports fanatic. And most importantly the dad of one of my friends, and a family member to so many that I know he loved and cherished so much.
Godspeed Jeff, and thank you so much for all of the support you gave me and the rest of Montgomery County.
Jared McMurry was born and raised in Montgomery County and is the Sports Editor of the Journal Review. He can be reached by email at jmcmurry@jrpress.com and by phone at 765-918-8656. Follow him on Twitter @jaredmac26
