Jeffrey Atkinson

Our hero, Jeffrey L. Atkinson, joined the 343 Firefighter heroes from 9/11/2001, on Thursday, September 11, 2014, at Central Wyoming Hospice after a lengthy, courageous battle with testicular cancer. A celebration of our hero's life will be held Friday September 19, 2014, at 4pm at Faith Assembly of God. Jeff was born August 27, 1966 in South Pasadena, CA. His family moved to Wyoming in 1978 where he became an active member in youth sports, particularly Casper Youth Baseball. Jeff graduated from Kelly Walsh High School in 1984 and the University of Wyoming in 1988. Jeff's firefighting career began with the Casper BLM High Plains District where he fought wild land fires for 12 years. In 1997 Jeff was hired by the Casper Fire Department. Throughout his career Jeff attended the National Fire Academy in Emmetsburg, MD several times. He also served as adjunct faculty teaching firefighting classes at Casper College for the Fire Science Program. Teaching Fire Safety and CPR was important to Jeff whether it be to the Dave Johnson Power Plant Fire Brigade, Evansville Fire Department, preschool teachers or cub scouts. Jeff quickly moved through the ranks from Firefighter to Captain and spent most of his career at Fire Station #5. He was on the design teams for the new Fire Station #3 and #2 as well as South ridge Elementary. Jeff enjoyed cooking for his crew because he felt that was one way he could take care of his crew. For the last five years, Jeff has cooked the Fire Department's silent auction dinner for the United Way. In 1994 Jeff met Kristen Langdon, the love of is life! Jeff and Kristen were married in 2000 in Casper, Wyoming. They have two amazing boys, Edward (2003) and Cristopf (2006). Eddie and Cristopf soon became the center of Jeff's world and he spent as much time as possible with his boys! Jeff took pride in becoming their baseball coach, Cub Scout leader, soccer coach and #1 class mom at school. Jeff's love and devotion to his boys was unmatched and was evident in everything he did, including his love of the San Francisco Giants. Jeff was raised a Master Mason in 2001 as a member of Independence Rock Lodge #56. He was then fezzed a Shriner in 2002 and joined the Calliope where he enjoyed bringing smiles to people as "Plugger" the firefighter clown. He was so many things, to so many people, it is impossible to list them all. Jeff is survived by his wife, Kristen, sons Eddie and Cristopf; his parents, Whitney (Jerry) Saunders, Tom (Tish) Atkinson; in-laws Jolene (Rob) Knaus, Dennis (Judy) Langdon; sister-in-law Amber; brother Tom (Kristi) Atkinson and niece Ashley; grandmother Mary Atkinson; multiple step-siblings and their families; aunts, uncles, and cousins. Jeff's fight would not have been possible without the help and care of the doctors at the University of Colorado as well as the gracious, loving care of the team led by Dr. Rosen, at Rocky Mountain Oncology. We would like to thank Central Wyoming Hospice and Transitions for their unflappable care of our husband, father, son, brother and friend. In lieu of flowers, Jeff has requested donations to the Atkinson Scholarship fund at U.S. Bank, 435 West 1st Street, Casper, WY 82601.

Service

Friday, September 19, 2014 4:00pm

Assembly of God Church

201 North 3rd Street

Glenrock, Wyoming 82637