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National Fallen Firefighters Foundation

Roll of Honor

Firefighter/EMT
Age: 24
Year of Death: 2007

Craig L. Dorsey II

Submitted by his Mother

Craig L. Dorsey II was born on December 8‚ 1982. He was introduced to the fire department at a very young age. When Craig was finally old enough to actually join the department‚ he became a junior fireman. Craig became a fireman before he was even old enough to drive‚ and when they would get a call he used to ride his bike or run to the fire department. Some would call this dedication‚ but I call this obsession. With some people as they get older that‚ ‘dedication’ tends to wear off‚ but not with Craig it got worse. It seemed like morning‚ noon‚ and night he was at the fire department. He was good at his job and I would say that it was the biggest enjoyment of his life. That was until we had our son in 2005. After Tyler was born‚ Craig was still always at the fire department. The only difference now was that anytime he went to the fire department he always took Tyler with him. This ‘dedication’ was passed on to another generation‚ and to this day Tyler is just as ‘dedicated’ as his father was.

Craig became an Emergency Medical Technician in 2005. He had been working on an ambulance since 2003 as a CPR driver‚ but he really liked being an EMT. He took a lot of pride in this job and did this job extremely well. Craig also became a Mason in 2005. For those who do not know much about the Masons the best way for me to describe them is as a family of brothers who take care of one another. Craig had always been one to do what he could to help someone else‚ so this brotherhood was really good for him. Craig went on and got his 32nd degree and had plans on achieving even more degrees within the Masons.

Craig left for work on January 30‚ 2007 just like any other day. I got to see him before he left never knowing that would be the last time I would ever get to see him. At approximately 10:30 am Craig responded to a gas leak at a local gas station. He got there in time to evacuate all of the customers from the station just before the gas station exploded. The explosion killed Craig and three other gentlemen. Two of which were with the propane service and the other was a fellow firefighter. Craig was killed instantly. We thank God everyday that he did not suffer.

Craig is survived by fianc_e LeeAnne and their son William Tyler Gray Dorsey. He also leaves behind the rest of his family and all of his fire department family and friends. He was greatly loved and will always be remembered as a person who always brought a smile to everyone’s face. Craig may be gone‚ but will never be forgotten. He will live on in the hearts and the lives of those he touched. We love you Craig!!!

Submitted by his Father

Craig Dorsey was killed when a propane gas explosion leveled a convenience store in Ghent‚ West Virginia‚ on Tuesday‚ January 30‚ 2007. Two firefighters and two civilians died in this incident‚ and several others were critically injured.

Craig had been involved in the fire/rescue service since age 14‚ and he served with the department for12 years. He also served with the Coal City Fire Department. He enjoyed being a firefighter and an EMT‚ and that was all he knew. He worked with his father‚ who is a chaplain for the Sophia City Fire Department‚ and his father was inspired by Craig’s ability to do that kind of work. Both of them loved helping people. Craig would always make sure he called his dad to tell him‚ ‘Daddy‚ I had a good call today.’

He was a Mason and a devoted member of the Beckley Masonic Lodge.

Craig is survived by his father and stepmother‚ Craig Dorsey‚ Sr. and Priscilla Dorsey; his mother and stepfather‚ Kathy and Mark Sizemore; and his son‚ Tyler.

We will always remember his smile and the jokes he would pull on people‚ and how he helped people in the community with whatever means he could. He was just an all-around great young man.

I miss him every day and want people to know that he was a tremendous joy in my life.

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