Outpouring of support shown after Bay Minette firefighter loses battle with brain tumor

By John Underwood
Posted 9/2/21

BAY MINETTE — There was an outpouring of support recently for a Bay Minette firefighter who lost his battle after being diagnosed with a brain tumor more than a year ago.

Jeremy Shawn McKissack, …

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Outpouring of support shown after Bay Minette firefighter loses battle with brain tumor

Posted

BAY MINETTE — There was an outpouring of support recently for a Bay Minette firefighter who lost his battle after being diagnosed with a brain tumor more than a year ago.

Jeremy Shawn McKissack, a lifelong resident of Bay Minette who served as a captain with the Bay Minette Fire Department, died Aug. 15 at North Baldwin Infirmary after being diagnosed in May of 2020 with a brain tumor.

“Jeremy spent most of his life working for Bay Minette and was one of the best firefighters that walked through the doors of the station,” said Bay Minette Fire Chief Michael Minchew. “He has left a hole in this department that is going to be hard to fill. I know he is still here and looking over us and as we move forward not a day will go by without thinking about him.”

McKissack was a captain at Bay Minette Fire Station 70 where he served the community for 20 years. He was honored with retirement in October of 2020 and was named First Responder of the Year by the North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce in March.

He also served with the Daphne Fire Department for 13 years and volunteered with Perdido and Rabun volunteer fire departments.

He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He loved spending time with his family enjoying Auburn University sporting events.

“Everyone in the Bay Minette/North Baldwin community was saddened by our loss of Jeremy McKissack,” said Bay Minette Mayor Bob Wills. “Not only was he a great servant to us as our first responder, he was also a wonderful friend and quite a personality to all who knew him. I was particularly happy that he was a fellow Auburn fan! He showed great courage and fortitude in battling his illness and will forever be in our hearts.”

Following funeral services held Saturday, Aug. 21 at the First Baptist Church in Bay Minette, residents lined the streets to honor McKissack during a procession which featured first responders from throughout the area.

The procession paused at Fort Beverage Fire Station for a moment of silence before proceeding to graveside services at Bay Minette Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Minchew, Wayne Bryars, Kenny Hanak, Bobby Dolan, Brian Dees, Chad Jones, Jeff Smith and Cameron Boyington.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents Norman and Loree Newton. Survivors include his wife Amber Bush McKissack, daughters, Andi Brooke McKissack and Abby Kate McKissack; his mother Regina Sprinkle (Thomas); father Larry (Allie) Sprinkle; grandmother Annette McKissack, Aunt Rhonda Akins, all of Bay Minette; mother- and father-in-law Janet and Web Bush of Perdido; aunts, uncles, sister- and brother-in-law, cousins, nieces and nephews.

The Rev. Phil Bryars and Malcolm Harrelson officiated the service.

The family requests memorial donations be made to the charity of your choice. The family would like to thank North Baldwin Infirmary medical staff, ICU nurses and doctors for their unwavering care and love.

Arrangements were made by Petty Funeral Homes LLC of Atmore.