Submitted by his Sister

My brother was on the fire department for 5 years. His dream of becoming a fireman began when he was 3 years old and was severely burned in a trailer fire. It was at the moment that my brother decided that helping others would be what he did during his life. Although he was just a volunteer and did not get paid for his services‚ my brother jumped every time his pager went off. I cannot recall a time or a fire that he did not respond to.

He loved working with the fire department and he often joked that he would move to Montgomery‚ Alabama to live with me and get on with the Montgomery Fire Department full time. He and I had made plans to go to Auburn football games (for the year of 2006) because he had never been to one‚ but he is with me everywhere I go. I see him everywhere‚ and I miss him very much. He and I were very close growing up and it is hard going through life without your other half so to speak either in front of‚ beside or behind you.

Dusty lived his life to the fullest at everything that he did and accomplished. I am very proud of him and the man that he became. He has received many awards during his life and even in his death. During high school he was in the JROTC and Sheriff’s Explorer’s team in Lawrence County. He graduated from JROTC Cadet Major. His interests were Auburn football‚ Motorcycles and firefighting.

I will never forget the morning that I got the call about my brother‚ I was more concerned of him being burned again than anything else. He is in a better place where there is no scars on his body and there is no pain. I know that I will be seeing him again‚ and I cant wait to see him and give him a big hug‚ tell him that I love him‚ that I have missed him and that I am proud of him. I know that if Dusty was still alive today‚ and if he were ever put in the same situation he would have done what he did that night all over again.

He is survived by a brother‚ Christopher Moats‚ a mother‚ Denise Moats‚ a father‚ Bruce Moats and Grandparents B.B. and Helen Jones Jr.‚ along with aunts‚ uncles‚ nieces‚ nephews and cousins.