Chris was a loving husband to Aimee and a devoted father to David. They were everything to him, and he loved them more than anything else in his life. Chris was a son, son-in-law, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, and best friend to many beloved family members and friends. He was a pilot, a 3rd Degree Mason, a fixer of all things. Chris died from glioblastoma brain cancer on October 1, 2021.
Chris had a skill of being able to take something apart and put it back together. He proved this by taking a carburetor apart and putting it back together at age six. He loved to lend a helping hand wherever he could to try to help someone. Chris would say, “I’m a jack of all trades and master of none.”
At age 14, Chris joined Chinchilla Hose Company as a junior volunteer firefighter. Firefighting was a passion that he fell in love with at a young age and carried throughout his life. Chris served as lieutenant, captain, assistant master mechanic, assistant chief, and fire chief during his time with Chinchilla. Of the many accomplishments during his time as chief, he was most proud of obtaining Knox Boxes for area businesses to make it easier for the department on calls.
Chris had the biggest smile and a huge sense of humor; he loved to make people laugh. He had a way of telling a story or being sarcastic and joking without you knowing if he was being serious or not. His favorite jokes were, “I had a dream last night that I was a muffler, and I woke up exhausted.” When he would see a large fan, he would say, “That’s one of my biggest fans.” When his son David was little and needed to use the bathroom, Chris would tell him, “Mention my name and you’ll get a good seat.”
Chris was a dedicated firefighter with a strong work ethic. He started with the City of Norfolk Fire Rescue Division in 2012. Chris’s favorite station assignment was on the water in Ocean View. In the morning, he sent pictures of the beach to Aimee, saying what a rough life and horrible job he had with those views. Sarcastically, of course, because he loved his job as a firefighter. Chris was fixed apparatus operator of Engine 7, which was his last official assignment with Norfolk Fire Rescue. Right up until the end, he was still telling people that he just had to get over this brain cancer hurdle, and then he would be back to work at the fire house. Chris was a true fireman; his passion for the job was unmistakable. He brought joy and laughter to everyone around him. There will always be a void in our lives going forward without Chris’s smile, love, and laughter.
Hand Salute my Brother! It was a long fight, but we’ve got it from here! May You Rest In Peace ……
– David JenkinsI served with Chris when we were both members of the Chinchilla Hose Company. He was a great guy and a great firefighter.
– Michael CavettChris was the whole reason why I became a firefighter. He and I worked at Hall Chevrolet in Chesapeake, that’s when I first encountered him. We were in the parts department and he looked at me and said “you don’t belong here.” I looked at him then my shirt and said sorry but I work here. He then said no man you look like a firefighter or a cop. And since then once a week he’d ask me if I was in a fire department yet and I would say no Chris not yet. After a few weeks he said man I don’t care if it’s volunteer or paid just get up and do something with your life. So in 2019 I joined a department in Carrollton, VA and he then goes great are you certified yet? I will miss him dearly and always remember what he said to me at the dealership.
– Steven Wright