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FSTI Board member Jerry Davies

Jerry Davies, 82, of Thousand Oaks, California, passed away Thursday January 18, 2024. He was born November 25, 1941, in Miami, Florida, the son of Emlyn and Sarah (Merlin) Davies. He graduated from Miami High School in 1959.

After graduating high school, Jerry moved to southern California where he started an acting and musical career. He sang and played guitar in the folk band The Townsmen. He starred in several television shows and movies. Then he was drafted and served in the Marine Corps. Upon completion, Jerry returned to Miami and got a degree at the University of Miami. He then went to Iowa State University to get a Master’s of Science degree in journalism. While working as an on-air television weather and news reporter at KRNT in Des Moines, he met his wife Diane Eddy. They were married November 28, 1969. They moved to Miami and continued journalism. Later Jerry began his rewarding career in communications and PR in the insurance industry when they moved to Tallahassee. He and Diane purchased radio stations in 1985 in McPherson, KS. He wrote and starred in commercials for TV and radio, produced documentaries, owned newspapers and other radio stations in Kansas and completed his career as Vice President in the insurance industry and head of Fire Safe Council of California. After retirement, Jerry became a fiction writer and has authored 3 books: “Brim’s Law”, “Brim’s Justice” and “Idaho Wild”.

His obituary and historical slide show can be found here:  https://www.dovetopeka.com/Obituary/273181/Jerry-Davies/Dove-KS

 

 

Hundreds mourn former State Fire Marshal Ronny J. Coleman

Hundreds mourn former State Fire Marshal Ronny J. Coleman

With former State Fire Marshal Dennis Mathisen acting as master of ceremonies, fire service leaders and colleagues and friends came to Calvary South OC in San Clemente on Friday, Oct. 6 to pay respects to former Fire Marshal Ronny J. Coleman. Chief Coleman, a nationally-recognized fire service leader who served as California State Fire Marshal and as the chair of the CSFA Volunteer Committee, passed away Sept. 19 in Sacramento. He was appointed in 1992 by Governor Pete Wilson to the position of State Fair Marshal, a position he held for 8 years. Among the fire service dignitaries that spoke at the service were Acting State Fire Marshal Daniel Berlant, retired State Fire Marshal Mike Richwine and Former U.S. Deputy U.S. Deputy Fire Administrator and National Fire Academy Superintendent Dr. Denis Oneil.

 

 

 

 

Watch Chief Ronny Coleman’s memorial service here:

Ronny J. Coleman, past California State Fire Marshal and CSFA Volunteer Committee Chair passes

Ronny J. Coleman, past California State Fire Marshal and CSFA Volunteer Committee Chair passes

Ronny J. Coleman, a revered nationally-recognized fire service leader for half a century, who served as California State Fire Marshal and as the chair of the CSFA Volunteer Committee, passed away Sept. 19 in Sacramento. Chief Coleman had been the Fire Chief of the City of Fullerton Fire Department when he was appointed in 1992 by Governor Pete Wilson to the position of State Fair Marshal, a position he held for 8 years. Prior to that, Chief Coleman was the Fire Chief with the City of San Clemente Fire Department, and prior to that was the Operation Chief with the City of Costa Mesa Fire Department.

During his tenure as State Fire Marshal, the State Fire Marshal’s Office was merged into the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, now known as CAL FIRE.

In 2010, Ronny was appointed Chairman of the CSFA Volunteer Committee, and following that led a very successful four-year series of grant-funded workshops for volunteer fire departments on Leadership, Recruiting, and Retention, a legacy that CSFA carries forward to this day.

Chief Coleman was the past President of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, and in 1999, he was selected as one of the 20 Most Influential Fire Service Leaders of the 20th Century by Fire Chief Magazine. He was a prolific writer – authoring 19 books on fire service and leadership. Through his many professional affiliations, Chief Coleman had been at the forefront of many advances in firefighter leadership, safety, fire prevention, code enforcement, training, and technical innovation.

Chief Coleman is survived by his wife, Marie, his son Chris Coleman (North Carolina), his daughter Lisa Coleman (Colorado), and their families.

A local (Northern California) tribute to Chief Coleman will be hosted in Elk Grove in the coming week. Funeral services will follow in San Clemente, with a date to be announced. Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to National Heritage Fire Museum or the California Fire Museum & Safety Learning Center.

The Coleman’s are requesting privacy at this time. Please contact their family liaison, Chris Fowler, at [email protected] with any urgent inquires.

Condolence cards may be sent to:

Mrs. Marie Coleman
c/o Chris Fowler
P.O. Box 661114
Sacramento, CA 95866