Memorials 2023-2024

Honoring our Fallen Members

Today…
We kneel for their family and for our brothers and sisters that worked served with them.

Tomorrow …
We will stand for them.

Firefighter's Prayer

When I am called to duty, God,
wherever flames may rage,
give me strength to save a life,
whatever be its age.
Help me embrace a little child
before it is too late,
or save an older person from
the horror of that fate.
Enable me to be alert,
and hear the weakest shout,
quickly and efficiently
to put the fire out.
I want to fill my calling,
to give the best in me,
to guard my friend and neighbor,
and protect his property.
And if according to Your will
I must answer death’s call,
bless with your protecting hand,
my family one and all.

Author Unknown

Past President Bernard Page Brockenbrough

Bernard Page Brockenbrough of Martinsville, VA passed away Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Born July 31, 1942 in Louisville, KY, he was the son of the late Bernard O. and Margaret Page Brockenbrough.

Bernard Page Brockenbrough

Past President / Firefighter

Martinsville Volunteer Fire Company

Life Member Mack C Higgins

Mack C Higgins passed away on August 6, 2023 at the age of 77 in Blacksburg, Virginia. Born in Christiansburg, Virginia on December 4, 1945, Mac was a loving and protective father, brother, and husband, a devoted firefighter, a car enthusiast, and race car driver.

Mac was a car and racing fanatic. Taking the driving skills he learned as a rebellious teenager running moonshine, he became a pioneer of professional truck racing. He was one of the first and only drivers to race Ford trucks when racing legend Buck Baker started the first pickup
truck racing series that would eventually become today’s NASCAR Truck Series. In his later years, he maintained his love of cars, taking his “hot rods” out for a spin and going to local cruise-ins.

A proud Christiansburg High School Blue Demon, Mac maintained close friendships with his Class of 1964 classmates through his entire life.

In adulthood, he carried on his family legacy, running the family-owned Higgins Oil Company for many years. Dedicated to public service, Mac was a lifetime member of the Galax Volunteer Fire Department in Galax, VA. He took pride in serving the community and shared those values with his children, taking them along on fire calls and involving them in GVFD activities.

Throughout his entire life, Mac loved spending time at his family farm at Cripple Creek, or as he liked to call it, “My Montana.” There, he spent quality time fishing, riding four-wheelers through “Sugar Hollow,” and enjoying the fresh mountain air and beautiful scenery. Cripple Creek is where he will be laid to rest so his family will know he is there with them always.

Mac is survived by three children and sons-in-law, Leslie Lundy and David Lundy, James Higgins and Scot Bearden, and Josh Higgins and Tyler Kraus; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Sandra Mohney, Andy Mohney, Debra McLafferty and Charles McLafferty; two grandchildren, Aaron Lundy and Kelly Lundy; and two nieces, Jennifer Mohney and Clair McLafferty. He was preceded in death by his parents, E. Garland Higgins and Alice Lou Henderson Kjeldsen, formerly of Galax, VA.

The Higgins family thanks the wonderful staff at English Meadows Senior Living in Blacksburg who helped Mac feel safe and at home – especially his “good buddies” Brittney, Jennifer, LaDonna, Robin, and Larry.

The Higgins family would also like to extend a heartfelt deep thank you to Medi home health and hospice, specifically, Dads primary nurse, Britney Back, for the kind, gentle and compassionate handling of our dad in his last hours.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 9, 2023, at 11 a.m. at the Galax Fire Department.

Mack C Higgins

Life Member

Galax Fire Department

Firefighter Cameron Bentley Craig

It is with profound sadness that we announce the untimely passing of our beloved hero, Cameron Craig, at the young age of 20 on October 19, 2023. Cameron’s life was tragically cut short while he was selflessly serving his community as a firefighter for the Abingdon Fire Department. He made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, and his loss leaves a void that can never be filled.

Cameron was born on June 3, 2003 and brought a bright light to the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing him. He was a dedicated son, brother, and friend, with unwavering passion for helping others. He was a career firefighter with Abingdon Fire Department, and an employee of Richardson Ambulance service. During his time in service, Cameron responded to countless emergencies, risking his life to protect and save the lives of others. His bravery and dedication to keeping our community safe was a testament to his Christian character. He will forever be remembered for his acts of heroism and his willingness to put the well-being of others above his own.

Cameron was more than a firefighter; he was a kind and compassionate young man, always ready to lend a helping hand and bring comfort to those in need. He was always sharing his faith in the Lord and would want his memory to continue spreading that gospel.

He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Wayne Callahan and John Craig; and his paternal grandmother, Betty Bowers.

Left to cherish his memory are his parents, Dale and Virginia (Suzy) Craig; sisters, Ashley (Luke) Braswell, Elizabeth (Justin) Ward, Diana Craig (Fiancé Jason Johnson), and Annie Craig; his three nieces, Amelia, Felicity, and Nora; nephews, John Luke and Teddy; grandmother, Lois Callahan; several aunts, uncles, cousins, and girlfriend, Alexis Lytle, all who loved him very much.

Cameron’s memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. His legacy as a firefighter, friend, and a caring soul will continue to inspire us all.

Funeral services to honor the life and sacrifice of Cameron Craig will be held on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at 12:00 noon at Highlands Fellowship Church (Watauga Rd.) with Abingdon Fire Department Chaplain Rev. Steven Vaughn and Rev. Adam Blackwell officiating. The family will be receiving friends from 4 until 9 p.m. on Tuesday evening at Trigg Street Church of God in Abingdon. We invite all who wish to pay their respects to join us in remembering this extraordinary young firefighter who gave his all-in service to our community. Following the funeral services, burial will follow at Mount Rose Cemetery in Glade Spring, Va.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Abingdon Firefighters Foundation in memory of Cameron Craig. Proceeds will be used towards scholarships for children of local firefighters.

Cameron Bentley Craig

Firefighter

Abington Fire Department

Firefighter Donald Judd Atkins

Donald Judd Atkins, 81, of Dublin, passed away on Thursday, February 8, 2024. He was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore Judd and Virginia Covey Atkins; and brothers, Dean, David and Dennis Atkins.

Donald Edgar Yonce

Firefighter

Newbern Fire Department

Past President Martin Edward Keffer

Martin Edward Keffer 85 of Newport Va. Passed away with his family beside him on June 8, 2023 at Carilion Giles Community Hospital. Martin was born on November 5 1938 in Klotz Va. to the late Elbert Lee Keffer and Minnie Exie Keffer.

Martin was a graduate of Pembroke High School, Class of 1957. Prior to his death he was a dedicated and longest serving active member of the Newport Volunteer Fire Department with 64 years of service where he served in many capacities and also that of Fire Chief. He is a member of the Southwest Virginia Firefighters Association where he served as president in 1973-1974 Awarded Life Membership in 1992 and was a recipient of the ABOVE AND BEYOND award in 2013. Martin was an active member of the Giles County Firefighters Association and A Life Member of the Newport Volunteer Rescue Squad.

Martin was self-employed selling and servicing fire and rescue equipment throughout Southwest Virginia and southern West Virginia. In his spare time, he was active in community events and many projects at his church Edgewood United Methodist Church in Ripplemead, Virginia where he was a charter member. Martin was Assistant Scout Master of Troop 37 in Newport he also enjoyed old westerns and anything that John Wayne was in, enjoyed reading and crossword puzzles and vacationing in the Smoky Mountains with family

Martin is preceded in death by his sisters Janie Smith, Lorene Meadows, Marion Lowe Eppard also Brother-in-law Gerald F. Breen

Left to cherish his memory his loving wife of 64 years, Donna Breen Keffer; son and daughter-in-law Lawrence and Lorrie Keffer of Salem, Virginia; one grandson, Blake (Hope) Keffer of Salem, Virginia; and two great-grandchildren who were the love of his life Graylynn and Quaid Keffer of Salem, Virginia; brother Lane Keffer of Pearisburg, Virginia; sister, Mary Catherine Williams (Don) of Bluefield, Virginia; sister-in-Law Janet Breen of Marion, Virginia; and many nephews and nieces and a host of friends.

A special Thank You to the Doctors and Nursing Staff on 10 Mountain West ICU at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital and Carilion Giles Community Hospital SCU Staff.

In honor of the years of service Martin gave to his community and surrounding communities, the family would appreciate all first responders to wear their uniforms to the funeral services.

A visitation will be held June 13, 2024 from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM in the Kendall Funeral Home. A funeral service will be conducted on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at 1:00 PM in the Kendall Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Neal Turner and Reverend Terri Gregory officiating. Funeral services will conclude in the Newport Cemetery where he will be laid to rest. In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to the Newport Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 122, Newport VA. 24128 or Edgewood United Methodist Church, 206 Magnolia Dr., Ripplemead, VA. 24150. A guestbook is available to send condolences to the family by visiting www.kendallfuneralhome.com. The staff of Kendall Funeral Home are honored to serve the Keffer family.

Martin Edward Keffer

Association Past President

Newport Volunteer Fire Department

Firefighter Roger Dale Tilson

Roger Dale Tilson “Rabbit”, passed away at his home on Scratch Gravel in Marion, on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. Roger was very loved by his community. He was a loving and kindhearted person that everyone loved. He never met a stranger.

He always said “speak to everyone you see because you don’t never know what kind of day that person is having.” Roger graduated from Marion Senior High School in 1989.

He was a member of the Marion Fire Department EMS for 23+ years. He enjoyed driving around at Christmas with the Santa sleigh with the Mayor David Helms, and the Grinch. Watching the faces of kids and even adults, he loved it.

He started working at K-mart, and then went to Visdor (Coffman Stairs) where he spent 20+ years. Later he went off to living his dream of driving a truck for Kegley Trucking. He worked four years at General Dynamics, then to the Town of Marion. He had made forever friends at all places. He was known as the trash truck driver, and he loved going around blowing the horn at everyone; most of all seeing the kids getting excited and waiting on the trash truck. Roger also enjoyed helping with the VFW Post 4667 with putting flags out on the courthouse lawn for Memorial Day.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Stanley and Pauline Tilson; one brother George Allen Tilson. The ones left behind to cherish his memories are his loving wife, Donna H. Tilson of 17 years, who he loved with all his heart and stood beside her all the way; sons, Tyler Tilson and wife Jessica of Chilhowie, Junior Hall and wife Meranda of Marion; grandchildren Brock, Myndee, Autumn, Rizia Bentley, Lee, Brylee, Jynna Hall all of Marion; his miracle grand-baby Hadleigh Tilson of Chilhowie; two fur babies Chewbacca and Lola; brother and sister-in-law Clark and Tonya Tilson; nephew Cooper Tilson from Caramel, IN; special uncle Bill Gullion; and aunt Frances Cassell and husband Jimmy.

We would like to thank the doctors and nurses at WCCH for taking good care of him. Wythe Hospice of SWVA for their support. His wife would like to thank the family and Fire/EMS for all they did, and all the friends and family that came to see him.

Funeral services will be held at 6 p.m., Sunday, May 26, 2024, from the Bradley’s Funeral Home Chapel in Marion with Pastor Ernie Powers and Pastor David Bise officiating. The family will receive friends from 3 to 6 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at Rosewood Memorial Gardens in Rural Retreat. Full Fire/EMS Honors will be rendered by the Marion Fire and EMS. Family and friends are asked to meet at the funeral home at 10:30 a.m. for the procession to the cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.bradleysfh.com. Bradley’s Funeral Home of Marion is serving the Tilson Family.

Roger Dale Tilson

Firefighter

Marion Fire Department

Past Chief Donald Edgar Yonce

Donald Edgar Yonce, 83, of Hillsville, passed away on Saturday, January 6, 2024 at Commonwealth Senior Living in Hillsville. Mr. Yonce was born in Rural Retreat, Virginia to the late Fred Melvin and Pauline Fulton Yonce. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Glenda Shepherd Yonce.

Survivors include his sons and daughters-in-law, Gregory and Vickie Yonce and Wesley and Cassie Yonce, niece and spouse, Sabrina and Randy Webb, great-nieces Amanda Webb and Lydia Webb, and great-nephew, Caleb Webb, special cousin, Garry Branscome, and special neighbors, Ann and Montie Largin, and his fur baby Gucci.

Don served the community he loved by working at Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel for 50 years and caring for people during their most difficult time of need. He also served on the Hillsville Volunteer Fire Department, where he was a Life Member and past Chief along with other offices. He received numerous firefighter awards within the Twin Counties. Don was a member of First Baptist Church Hillsville, where he served as Deacon and on various committees. Don was a member of the Army Reserves, the Hillsville Jaycees, he served on the Hillsville Town Council, was a member of the Twin County Regional Hospital Board, received the Twin County Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year, a member of Hillsville Masonic Lodge 193, and most recently was the Grand Marshal of the annual Hillsville/Carroll County Christmas Parade. Don also loved to go to Virginia Tech Hokies Football games. Don never met a stranger.

The family would like to express a special thank you to the staff of Commonwealth Assisted Living and Mountain Valley Hospice. He loved you all.

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, January 11, 2024 at Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel at 12:00 pm with the Reverend Scott Flippin officiating. Burial will follow in the Wilkinson Memorial Cemetery. Masonic Lodge 193 will preform Masonic rites and last rites will be conducted by the Hillsville Volunteer Fire Department Honor Guard. Don will lie in state on Thursday from 11:00 am until 12:00 pm, prior to the funeral service. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hillsville Volunteer Fire Department, 115 Fulcher Street, Hillsville, Virginia 24343 or to the First Baptist Church, 1401 North Main Street, Hillsville, Virginia 24343. Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel is serving the family.

Donald Edgar Yonce

Firefighter / Life Member / Past Chief

Hillsville Fire Department

Firefighter / EMT Jeremy Lathan Compton

Jeremy Lathan Compton, age 35, of Christiansburg, passed away, Wednesday May 30, 2024. He was born in Radford, Va., on July 18, 1988. He was preceded in death by maternal grandparents,
Carl and Faye Winters, paternal grandparents, Roy and Mae Compton, and an aunt, Elaine Farrier.

Jeremy Lathan Compton

Firefighter / EMT

Christiansburg Vol. Fire Department / Radford Fire & EMS

Past Assistant Chief Richard G. "Huck" Tyree

Mr. Richard Glendon “Huck” Tyree, age 88, of Covington, died Tuesday, February 6, 2024, at Lewis Gale Hospital-Alleghany, Low Moor. He was the husband of Nancy Martin Tyree to whom he was married to for sixty years.

Mr. Tyree was born December 8, 1935 in Alleghany County, the son of the late Charles Meredith Tyree, Sr. and Shirley McCallister Tyree. Huck was a lifetime resident of this area. He was employed in the security department and was in charge of the fire suppressant system at Westvaco before his retirement. Mr. Tyree was a member of Granberry Memorial United Methodist Church. At the church, he was a member of the Mac Moon Sunday school class, the Cracker Barrel Club of the church and also sang in the Granberry Chancel Choir. Huck was a fifty seven year member of the Covington Fire Department where was a former assistant chief. Mr. Tyree was a committed supporter of the Virginia State Fire Association and participated on many competition teams. He was also a member of the Cliffview Senior League Golf Club and an avid University of Virginia Cavaliers fan.

In addition to his wife, Nancy, Mr. Tyree is survived by his poodle, Olivia; nephews, Dwain A. Tyree and wife, Janie and Robert M. Tyree and wife, Mary; his niece, Debbie T. Williams; his nephew, Chris Angell; his caregivers, Audra Hill, Michelle Kimberlin, Shirley Robertson and Suzanne Carper

In addition to his parents, Charles and Shirley Tyree, Mr. Tyree was preceded in death by his brother, Charles Meredith “Mert” Tyree; his niece, Beverly Tyree Angell; and his nephew, Steven B. “Skipper” Williams

A funeral service will be conducted at 3:00 P.M. Friday, February 9, 2024 at Granberry Memorial United Methodist Church with Rev. Brian Boettcher officiating. Interment will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Robert Tyree, Shane Williams, Tripp Tyree, Cory Angell, Nathan Hale, Chris Angell, Dewey May and Mason Hale. Honorary pallbearers will be David Lowry, Neal Dressler and other firemen of the Covington Fire Department.

The family will receive friends on Thursday evening from 6:00 P.M. until 7:30 P.M. at Loving Funeral Home.

The family suggest that memorial tributes take the form of contributions to Granberry Memorial United Methodist Church, 425 W. Main Street Covington, VA 24426, the Covington Fire Department 435 W. Hawthorne Street, Covington, VA 24426 or the Covington Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 588 Covington, VA 24426

Arrangements are being handled by Loving Funeral Home; to view Mr. Tyree’s memorial tribute page, please visit www.lovingfuneralhome1913.com.

Past Assistant Chief Richard G. "Huck" Tyree

Richard Glendon "Huck" Tyree

Past Assistant Fire Chief

Covington Fire Department

Past President Samuel Vest

Lt. Samuel Vest of Myrtle Beach passed away on Friday, December 8, 2023. He was 69 years old. Born in Pilot, Virginia, Sammy, as many called him, worked for the Myrtle Beach Fire Department for 21 years, serving as a Fire Inspector for 15 of those years.

Lt. Samuel Vest

Association Past President

Myrtle Beach, SC / Floyd County, VA Fire Departments

2023 Memorial Video

2022 Memorial Video