Beloved by his family, admired by his colleagues and friends, and appreciated by his country, Jeffrey Matthew Ambrose stepped into God’s presence on March 7, 2015 at the age of 44. Always strong and courageous, Jeff valiantly battled glioblastoma for 19 months. Jeff’s faith was strong to the end. He was optimistic, full of hope, and even kept a blog to help others suffering from the disease.

Although Jeff received many accolades as an Army Ranger and a Dallas police officer, Jeff remained humble and found his purpose in protecting others. Even throughout his illness, he was more concerned about others than himself.

Jeff was born June 17, 1970 in Castro Valley, California to parents Patricia Beresford and Robert Ambrose. He graduated from Wilson High School in Portland, Oregon in 1989. In 1990, Jeff joined the United States Army to fulfill one of his lifelong dreams of being part of a well-trained, sophisticated special operations task force. (He always liked adventure and combat movies and his favorite action hero growing up was John Rambo.) While in the U.S. Army, Jeff was stationed in South Korea for one year and learned communications and signaling support systems. After returning stateside, he was stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia with the 75th Ranger Regiment where he trained as an Army Airborne Ranger. In 1994 he joined the 160th Special Operations Airborne Ranger Regiment in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Later that year, the U.S. Army sent troops to Haiti to help restore a democratic government (Operation Uphold Democracy). Jeff was deployed with the 82nd Airborne to put down a potential coup in Haiti. He set up a communications center on a remote Caribbean Island to prepare for any battle.

While stationed in Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, Jeff met Laurie DeYoung whom he married in 1995. In 1997, Jeff was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army. He and his growing family relocated to San Jose, California. With his computer and communications training, Jeff worked in Silicon Valley as a Microsoft computer systems engineer at Mylex Corporation and Exodus.Com. In 2002, Jeff moved back to Portland, Oregon with his family. He continued to take courses in computer engineering and worked in that industry until February, 2010, when he accepted the position of Police Officer in Dallas, Texas.

Jeff proudly served in the City of Dallas Police Department until his death. When Jeff became ill, his fellow officers rallied around him, volunteering to work his shifts and setting up fundraisers to help him pay his medical bills. Jeff’s courageous battle also inspired the creation of a catastrophic leave fund for Dallas police officers and firefighters, the Assist the Officer Foundation. Besides Jeff, two others have now benefited from the fund.
The Dallas Police Chaplain offered this account about Jeff: “Deuteronomy 31:6 ‘Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord God who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.’ I see this as Jeff’s scripture. The first day after he struggled at the firing range and was taken to the hospital, I met him. The room was full of officers. He immediately greeted me. I am a retired Navy Chaplain, he was an Army Ranger so we had some friendly bantering. I asked if I could pray with him, he absolutely said yes. Every time I visited or called, at the end of each encounter when I asked to pray, he said yes. I never saw dread or fear in him. Jeff was strong and courageous despite the odds. It is a powerful thing to know that God will never leave you nor forsake you in your greatest times of need.”

Jeff left a wonderful legacy, his beloved children – son Brandon (19) and daughter Ashley (15). He treasured the times with his children, such as the times they would explore the beach together. For hobbies, Jeff loved hiking, skiing, running, endurance sports, and camping and enjoying great BBQ.

In addition to his children, Jeff is survived by his loving mother, Patricia Frahler, the longtime family friend Bob Bentley, his paternal grandmother Phyllis Ambrose, and his stepmother Barbara Downey Ambrose. His father, Bud Ambrose, predeceased him. Jeff will be missed as well by his aunts, uncles, cousins, colleagues, and friends. Thoughts of Jeff will undoubtedly bring a big smile to all who knew him. Jeff lived life fully, taking risks where others could not, in order to protect and serve. We are all blessed to have known and loved Jeff.

Funeral Mass

Monday March 23, 2015 , 10:30am at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

There will be a reception honoring Jeff held at the church immediately following the Mass. The presentation of the flag by the National Color Guard will take place at Willamette National Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. All who knew Jeff or prayed for Jeff are welcome to attend his services.

Facts Born: June 17, 1970
Death: March 7, 2015

Memorial Donations Memorial donations can be made to:
Donations in Jeff’s name may be made to either the Assist the Officer Foundation, 1412 East Griffin St., Dallas, TX 75215 or Providence St. Vincent’s Medical Foundation, Pastoral Services Dept., P.O. Box 3350, Portland, OR 97208-9604.