Jacksonville Firefighters Death Benefit Fund, Inc.

04/21/2026

https://www.pffh.com/obituary/owen-a-richardson-sr

Owen Albert Richardson, Sr., a proud native of Jacksonville, Florida Garden City, was born on April 17, 1939. He passed away on April 18, 2026 peacefully at home, surrounded by the people who meant the most to him just the way he wanted. Owen was a man who built his

04/19/2026

Your Board of Directors regret to inform you of the death of Fund member retired Fire Prevention Lieutenant Owen A. Richardson Sr., 87, on Saturday, April 18, 2026. As a young man Lieutenant Richardson served the community as a volunteer firefighter with the Garden City Volunteer Fire Department. Later he became employed as a professional firefighter with the Jacksonville Fire Department starting on August 9, 1968, serving for 32 years before retirement. And Lieutenant Richardson also served as a member of the Florida Air National Guard for 30 years.

Lieutenant Richardson was a dedicated family man who leaves behind a wife, three children, six grandchildren, and eleven great grandchildren. We ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers during this time of separation. When funeral arrangements have been finalized and made available we will post them on this page.

04/07/2026

Today (April 6, 2026) board members Armando Gonzalez, John Verbeck and Nick Tison made a recruitment presentation to the 26 members of Recruit Class 126. We are delighted to report all 26 members joined the fund. Thank you members of Recruit Class 126 for your commitment to your fellow firefighters and their beneficiaries.

03/27/2026

Funeral arrangements of Fund member active-duty Rescue Engineer Colton R. Tibbetts, 23, have been released by his family. Services are scheduled for Sunday, March 29, 2026, beginning at 4:00 p.m., at the Community Christian Church, 345 Palmetto Way, Keystone Heights, FL 32656. Please continue to keep the family and close friends of Engineer Tibbetts in your thoughts and prayers.

03/27/2026

Your Board of Directors regret to inform you of the death of Fund member retired Suppression Lieutenant Jerry B. Chaney, 80, on March 24, 2026. Lieutenant Chaney began his JFRD career on April 17, 1972, and retired after 23 years of service on December 2, 1995. Lieutenant Chaney's last field assignment was Engine 31. After a job injury he was assigned to the Training Academy and retired from there.

A time for visitation is scheduled for Thursday, April 2, 2026, beginning at 11:30 a.m., at the Hardage-Giddens Riverside Funeral Home, Riverside Event Pavillon, 1373 Memorial Park Road, Jacksonville, Florida.

The funeral service is scheduled for the same day and location beginning at 12:30 p.m. Afterwards a committal service is scheduled at the Jacksonville National Cemetery, 4083 Lannie Road, Jacksonville, beginning at 2:30 p.m.

Please join us in keeping Lieutenant Chaney's family and close friends in your thought and prayers as they grieve the loss of their loved one.

03/25/2026

Your Board of Directors regret to inform you of the death of Fund member Rescue Engineer Colton R. Tibbetts, 23, as the result of a single motor vehicle crash in the early morning hours of today, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. Engineer Tibbetts was hired July 8, 2022, as a member of Recruit Class 322, and promoted to Rescue Engineer November 1, 2025. Engineer Tibbetts is the son of recently retired Lieutenant Brian Tibbetts, and his mother Jody, and came from a family of firefighters.

The included picture of Engineer Tibbetts with his father, mother, and brother, was taken the night he graduated from recruit training, October 6, 2022.

When funeral arrangements are finalized we will post then on this page. We ask that you keep the family, close friends and co-workers of Engineer Tibbetts in your thoughts and prayers as they deal with this sudden tragedy.

02/18/2026

Funeral arrangements for Fund member retired Fire Prevention Lieutenant Raymond L. Burns have been announced.

Services are scheduled for Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at the Peeples Funeral Home, 14165 North Main Street. A one-hour time of visitation will start at 10:00 a.m. with the funeral service beginning at 11. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery, 4535 North Main Street.

Please continue to remember the Burn's family and keep them in your prayers for peace and comfort.

02/18/2026

Your Board of Directors regret to inform you of the death of Fund member retired Fire Prevention Lieutenant Raymond L. Burns, 65, on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. He had been dealing with some long-term health issues at the time of his death.

Lt. Burns began his JFRD career on September 2, 1980, as a Fire Communications Officer, rising to a supervisor rank before transitioning to the position of firefighter. Lieutenant Burns came from a public safety family. His late father, Bobby Burns, retired as a Suppression Lieutenant. His brother Robert retired as a Sergeant with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, his nephew Ellis is a Chief with JSO, and nephew Evan is a Lieutenant with JFRD.

Funeral arrangements have yet to be made and will be posted here when finalized. Please keep the Burn's family in your thoughts and prayers as they deal with their loss. And thank you Lieutenant Burns for your service to the citizens of Jacksonville. May you rest in peace.

01/22/2026

Your Board of Directors regret to inform you of the death of Fund member retired Suppression Captain Timothy J. Yost, 76. Captain Yost passed away at 3:40 a.m., on January 21, 2026, after treatment for lymphona.

Captain Yost began his JFRD career on January 20, 1975. He retired January 2, 2004, after 28 years of service. When the JFD Hazardous Materials Team was formed Captain Yost was an original member of the team and served faithfully. At the time of his retirement he was the Captain of Fire Station 56 at Cecil Field. After retirement he moved to Pennsylvania to care for his elderly mother.

Captain Yost served as a medical helicopter pilot in the Vietnam War and according to those who know him, performed many heroic acts reaching the wounded and flying them to medical facilities.

Captain Yost's earthly remains will be cremated per his instructions and his remains are to be interred in a National Cemetery in the Pittsburg area. Per his instructions no service is planned.

We ask that you keep Captain Yost's siblings and other family members and close friends in prayer or positive thoughts as they deal with this loss of their loved one.

Post updated 1/22/26 @ 1550 to reflect years of service.

01/15/2026

Union meeting starts a 9 a.m.

01/14/2026

REMINDER: CELEBRATION OF LIFE THIS SATURDAY, JANUARY 17, 2026.

John Earl Graves, 79, retired Captain of the Jacksonville Fire & Rescue Department, passed peacefully at his Green Cove Springs home on October 8, 2025, with his beloved wife and often-claimed best friend of over 40 years, Jodie, by his side.

Born in Jacksonville, Florida, to Harry C. and Ruby D. Graves, John was the eldest son, predeceased by his brother Harry Jr. and daughter Angela. He leaves behind his devoted wife, Jodie; daughter Christine Rocks; son-in-law Lance Rocks; and cherished grandchildren, Zachary and Ashley; as well as his sister-in-law Janet Graves and her children, Bryan and Erin.

A proud graduate of Ribault High School, John balanced a 33-year career with JFRD—where he felt privileged to serve—with work as an architectural draftsman for Doro Fixture Company. His courage and leadership extended beyond firefighting. A competitive pistol shooter, he represented Jacksonville in numerous victories and served on the board of Gateway Rifle and Pistol Club. As a dedicated member of the Masons, Scottish Rite, and Elks Lodge, John rose to Past Exalted Ruler of Green Cove Springs Elks Lodge #1892, embodying his commitment to charity and community.

John’s early adult hobbies were motocross racing and family boating; he eventually settled into motorcycle cruising, cooking for others, and sailing. John’s bold humor, love for tackling big projects, and devotion to Jodie defined him. Whether canoeing the Amazon, hiking the Eiffel Tower for a romantic kiss, diving 1,000 feet in a research sub, or building an epic riverfront firepit, he was Jodie’s hero, always sharing “Jodie stories” to delight others. As he promised, “You get first dibs in anything I do” and “I will always be the wind beneath your wings.” Jodie held him firm to his promises—together they tackled all life cast in their direction as inseparable equals. John’s legacy of love and adventure endures in his family and community.
A celebration of life will be held at JFRD Union Hall in the afternoon of Jan. 17, 2026. In lieu of flowers, donations to Haven Hospice Foundation, Elks National Foundation, or Drug Free Duval are appreciated.

01/13/2026

Your Board of Directors regrets to inform you of the death of Fund member retired Lieutenant William F. "Bill" McInarnay Jr., on January 10, 2026. Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday, January 17, 2026, beginning at 11:00 a.m., at the Fraser Funeral Home, 8168 Normandy Boulevard. Interment will follow at the Long Branch Cemetery.

Please join us in keeping Lieutenant McInarnay's family and close friends in your positive thoughts and prayers for comfort and peace as they experience this time of separation.