Jason Matthew Edmison was born December 27, 1975, in Erie, Pennsylvania. He spent most of his youth in San Diego, California, where he graduated from high school in 1993. While serving as a volunteer firefighter after graduating, the passion for a career in firefighting and serving others was ignited. He moved to Palmer, Alaska, in 1994, and joined the Butte Fire Station as a volunteer.

Jason served the next 25 years as firefighter/EMT at the Butte Fire Station, making his way through the ranks, and retired as deputy fire chief in June 2019. Throughout his career he was the recipient of the Lifesaver of the Year (2005), Officer of the Year (2014) and Rescue of the Year (2015) awards. Upon his retirement, he and his family moved to Tennessee. Jason not only loved serving in the fire service, but also loved educating and training others in the fire service. He turned his focus to this endeavor and was hired at the State of Tennessee Fire and Codes Academy as lead instructor to train fire recruits across the state. He was there to see six classes of fire recruits graduate from the Academy. His desire to be operational again spurred him to apply for a district fire captain position with Williamson County Fire and Rescue in Franklin, Tennessee, in 2020.

To his family, he was our hero! He deeply and genuinely loved his family and friends. In all ways he strived to set an example in leadership, integrity, accountability, and passion for the duty he was “born to do.” He was known for his wicked, awesome sense of humor and always tried to lighten the mood with a joke or two. Jason loved a good cigar with a friend on the back porch by a fire. He loved watching and listening to thunderstorms, especially with his wife by his side. He loved history and was an avid Civil War buff. He loved going for backroad drives in his restored pickup and cherished exploring and finding that next adventure; he loved traveling. He enjoyed trying out new recipes and smoking things on his grill. He absolutely loved music and having “music night” where we would play random songs and sing and dance the hours away in our living room and kitchen.

This man touched so many lives that we couldn’t help but love him for the person he was and the person he is in our hearts. He left behind a legacy that simply can’t be duplicated and departed this earth doing the thing he loved the most, serving and loving others in his path. We know that he is still watching over us, and that has brought us much peace, even though we miss him every moment of every day.

Submitted by his mother:

Capt. Jason Matthew Pratt Edmison. My firstborn, beloved child of God. Jason has been known by many different identifiers through his brief 47 years, from every relative category you can think of to coworker, supervisor, neighbor, and countless others. I want to focus on just a few: son, firefighter, EMT and first responder.

Jason was planned for and gratefully welcomed into this world shortly after we returned stateside from a military tour in the Philippines. Born on Christmas leave in Pennsylvania, raised in San Diego. He made me a mom and completed me. He did not become a brother until 13 years later, and then for three years in a row.

This began the years where I began to know him as a first responder. How appropriate a title, as he had spent his life RESPONDing to the needs and care of others. He was meant for this line of work. He knew who to put FIRST and when: God, then family. My SON was developing into a well-rounded and amazing young man. My heart continued to swell with pride, even when I thought it had reached capacity.

Fire fighter: the FIRE Jason had—fire meaning passion or ardor—and this man had always been a relentless FIGHTER for all that needed done, in the most firm, fair, and consistent manner.

EMT: EVERY MINUTE TEACHES. He loved gaining new skills! Please know that this man gave his life to making ours safe, without a second thought, confident in his skills and team.

The commitment, dedication, and brotherhood he developed with this emergency services community exceeds any expectation I could ever hope for. He gave it all, by choice. He never hesitated to jump in first, lead by example, and “get ‘er done.” He saved so many. He made a difference. He mattered.

Above all, Jason was a valued friend, a true friend, a gift and blessing, with four blessings to follow by the examples he lived. Most people go through life never meeting their hero. I gave birth to and raised mine. Well done, good and faithful servant. Heavenly peace is yours until we can share it. Thank you for your service and your sacrifices.