Brian Albert Annis-Levings was born in Portland, Oregon, on October 28, 1970, to parents Richard and Elaine Annis. He grew up in Vancouver, Washington, with his mother and stepfather, Bob Levings. Brian was quiet, meticulous, thoughtful, and adventurous. He earned his pilot’s license before his driver’s license. He loved to play basketball, run, hike, fish, backpack, hunt, ski, mountain bike, rock climb, mountain climb, and learn.

Brian graduated from Ridgefield High School in 1989 and began his search for a vocation. He worked for Freightliner Corporation while completing a bachelor’s degree in business and communications from Concordia University in Portland. Desiring to join the Mount Hood Ski Patrol, he earned his EMT certification from Vancouver’s College of Emergency Services in 2000. He found that active emergency medicine challenged him, and he went on to complete his paramedic licensure. In 2002, he was hired by Central Pierce Fire and Rescue in Washington, where he served as a firefighter/paramedic for 15 years. During this time, he was an honor guard member, a material safety officer, and helped to train many of his fellow firefighter/paramedics. In 2016, Brian was promoted to deputy fire marshal in the Prevention Division. As a DFMl, he was commissioned by Puyallup Police Department, served with the National Association of Fire Investigators, and became a hazardous materials specialist. Brian loved the growth his career provided and cherished the bonds of brotherhood forged between firefighters along the way.

Brian was a doting husband and father. He married his high school sweetheart, Nissa Hendrickson, in 1994. His greatest reward in this life was spending time with his family and the birth and raising of his daughters, Jaqueline and Melissa. He adored the girls. Brian taught them much about love, truth, forgiveness, and dedication—even to his last breath. He gave many hours to his local schools and clubs, Child Evangelism Fellowship, Heart and Hands Pregnancy Care Center, and to teaching the Bible. He was whole-hearted in all he put his hands to and was a skilled leader that Christ used in many ways. We who knew Brian were strengthened and comforted by his presence. He is loved forever and always!

Brian’s favorite verse was Romans 1:16. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.