Dedication and determination are two words that describe the life of former McAdory Area Fire District Chief Jeffrey Ray Wyatt. Jeff, as his family, firemen, and friends called him, had a heart of gold and a grin that would light up a room. Jeff was born at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama, on November 29, 1972, to Harvey O’Neal Wyatt and Joan Davis Wyatt. He graduated from Bessemer Academy in 1991 and soon became a service underwriter for Ford Motor Company.

When Jeff turned sixteen, he became a volunteer firefighter with McAdory Volunteer Fire Department. He was a committed member of the department and spent as much time as possible helping to build and support its growth. He rose to the rank of volunteer chief in 2003. As the department and community grew, Chief Wyatt worked diligently to establish a paid department. In 2006, his dream became reality, and McAdory Area Fire District was established. Although the budget allowed for a few paid fire personnel, Jeff continued in a volunteer position until the department was firmly on its feet. A year later, he officially became the paid chief of the department.

Chief Wyatt led well and took the fire district from meager beginnings as a volunteer fire department to a fully staffed and supplied fire district. One of his firemen described a time many years ago when they dug through their pockets to find enough money to get back to the station after a call. He grew McAdory Area Fire District to three stations, eight men per shift, and the equipment to handle over 1200 calls in 2021.

His commitment to the fire department came second only to his dedication and determination to his family. Jeff left behind his wife, Katie, and children, Josh, Zach, Kyden, Khloe, and Adalyn. In his free time (what little he had) he enjoyed fishing, camping, and Alabama football. A Saturday was even better when all were there—family, fishing, camping, and football.

Chief Jeffrey Ray Wyatt passed on from this life on April 4, 2022, and the McAdory Area Fire District will never be the same again. The lives Jeff touched will always be influenced by his dedication and determination. Jeff’s passion for family, his community, and his fire family will always be remembered. He loved well and had a servant’s heart. In the words of his firemen, “He always put our needs ahead of his and was the heart and soul of McAdory Fire.”

Chief Wyatt was laid to rest on Monday, April 11, 2022, but his spirit of dedication and determination (and that grin) will live on in the lives of his wife, children, firemen, and friends.