Submitted by his wife

Jackie was born on October 12‚ 1938 and died December 25‚ 2004 in the line of duty‚ responding to a mutual aid fire call to a neighboring community. His pager went off at 11:20 P.M. He got to the station‚ into his full gear‚ with his helmet cupped to his left side‚ like he always did before getting into his truck. As he reached for the side bar to get into the truck‚ he collapsed and hit his head on the cement floor of the station.

Another brother‚ an EMT‚ went to help him and determined that Jackie may have had a heart attack. The medivac helicopter came and took him to Lehigh Valley Hospital Center in Allentown‚ Pennsylvania. He was revived three times. He died on December 25‚ 2004 at 2:22 A.M.‚ Christmas morning. I guess the good Lord reached out to take him home.

Rank

Jackie joined the Fire Company when he was sixteen years old. He served in the following positions with the Fire Company: Vice President – 1964 – 1971
Financial Secretary – 1960 – 1963
Trustee/Auditor – 1958 – 1960
Foreman – 1958-1960
Assistant Engineer – 1961 – 1969
Assistant Engineer Ladder – 1987
Chief Engineer – 1970 – 2004
He attended and completed All State Fire Academy Schooling in his fifty years of service.

AwardsFire Fighter of the Year‚ 1996 in his fortieth year of dedication‚ commitment‚ and honor to his Fire Company.

Once retired from his daily job‚ his days were spent at the Fire Station‚ always checking on the fire equipment and chatting with the other fire fighters.

Jackie helped in all areas with his Fire Company. He also was involved with all fund raising affairs. He held all of the offices at his Fire Company except for Fire Chief. His dedication to his Fire Company helped purchase most of the apparatus and equipment.

Employment

Manager of Acme Markets – 18 years Bank Teller – 8 years Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission – 1979-2002 [Toll Collector‚ Shift Leader]

Jackie was affiliated with Ben Salem United Church of Christ where he was a dedicated member. He was to be installed as a Deacon of the Church on January 2‚ 2005.

He was an avid musician playing a percussion instrument in various bands. As a young person he was a member of the Coaldale Victory Band and the Ben Salem Band. [1950-1975]

Jackie Stoudt was my husband of forty-five years. He was a wonderful husband and father to his son Kevin. He loved his grand-daughter and his little Maltese [6 lb.] ‘Pebbles’. He always had a smile for everyone. I love him very much‚ but I know he is one proud fireman in Heaven above. May God Bless him.

Wife‚ Shirley

Submitted by the chief of his department

John ‘Jackie’ Stoudt‚ ‘Brother’ as he was endearingly known‚ was stricken while responding to a fire call on December 24‚ 2004.

‘Brother’ was an active member of the Diligence Fire Co No 1 for 49 years‚ serving as the Chief Engineer and Treasurer. He was a member of the Four County Firemen’s Association‚ a delegate to the Carbon County Firemen’s Association‚ and a member of the Summit Hill Firemen’s Relief Association (Treasurer).

He was the husband of Shirley (Dower) Stoudt. They were married for 45 years last May. He worked for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission as a shift leader before retiring in 2002. Additionally‚ a member of Bensalen U.C.C. Church‚ Panther Valley Masonic Lodge 677 and Lilly Chapter and Commandary‚ Rajah Shrine‚ Reading‚ and Schuylkill Shrine Club.

‘Brother’ will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.