Jeremy J. McKay was born on June 10, 1974, in St Paul, Minnesota, to the late Michael and Carol McKay. Jeremy moved to Florida as a baby and completed his primary schooling in Clay County.

He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1995. Later that year, while home on leave from his station in California, he met his wife, Tanya. After a couple years of a long-distance engagement, they exchanged vows in their hometown.

After leaving the Marine Corps, Jeremy decided to continue his service to the public. After several years as a technician at the Clay County School Board, he completed schooling to become an important member of the Clay County Fire Rescue Department. Jeremy was with CCFR for 14 years before his last alarm on November 27, 2019, after a brave 14-month battle with cancer. Jeremy was an engineer and paramedic.

Most importantly, he was a devoted husband and father. Jeremy and Tanya were blessed with three beautiful children who have all inherited his quick wit, amazing sense of humor, and impeccable use of sarcasm. During Jeremy’s battle with cancer, he decided his story to use to help effect changes in the laws for future Florida firefighters. He was a vital member of a dedicated team who were able to get 21 cancers approved to be recognized as being associated with the noble profession.

Within a few months of the Florida governor signing a law recognizing the risks to firefighters, Jeremy was called home.