Roy Dale Smith III‚ a Firefighter with the McGaheysville Volunteer Fire Company‚ lost his life on November 7‚ 2008. Roy died as a result of an accident‚ in his personal vehicle‚ while responding to a structure fire in McGaheysville‚ Virginia.

Roy was a second-generation firefighter‚ following in the footsteps of his father. Most of his childhood dreams were realized when he became old enough to join the Shenandoah Volunteer Fire Company and the McGaheysville Volunteer Fire Company. Roy had a desire to one day become a Firefighter with FDNY. The fire service was truly his passion.

Roy was a junior at Spotswood High School and very active in both the Future Farmers of America and Skills USA. He loved his family‚ his friends and ANYTHING associated with the fire service. Roy’s smile and laughter were contagious and always welcomed at the firehouse. He just had a way of brightening everyone’s day. His politeness was a testament to his upbringing and to how he lived his much too short lifeƒwith respect.

Roy’s passion for the fire service grew following a burn injury he received when he was 3 years old. As a burn survivor‚ he attended the Mid-Atlantic Burn Camp‚ held locally‚ in Rockingham County‚ Virginia. Over the years he developed many strong bonds with the firefighters working fundraisers for the Burn Camp‚ as well as those helping at the camp. As a firefighter himself‚ he helped with the local fundraiser for the 2008 Burn Camp and looked forward to returning to camp in the future as a counselor.

Roy’s desire to help others was evident in more than just his memberships in the fire service and his support of the Burn Camp. He passionately supported the Relay for Life and‚ even in his death‚ continued to help others through organ donation.

Roy Boy is greatly missed by his mother Crystal; his father Roy‚ Jr.; his sister Taelor; Calvin and Sarah‚ Sarah Louise and Steve‚ Jason‚ Heather‚ Matt‚ Anita and Red‚ Jennifer‚ Brittany‚ Jordan‚ Blake‚ Anna‚ Barbara‚ Brandy‚ Daniel‚ Sharon and Zack‚ Missy and Donnie‚ Heather‚ Darlene‚ his many friends and both fire company families.