Tallahassee, Fla. (WTXL) - Local fire departments, law enforcement agencies and residents are reflecting on the life of Engineer Jeff Atkinson. The veteran Tallahassee firefighter died overnight Thursday.
Atkinson worked for TFD for 17 years, starting out as a firefighter and working his way up to an engineer. He was based out of Fire Station #8 on Hartsfield Road. Friday, a black wreath and ribbon were hung outside to remember his life.
Wakulla Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Zac Lyons went to Lincoln High School with Atkinson. He told WTXL in a phone interview that they played soccer together and wound up working in the same career field. Both started in other parts of Florida before ending up back in the Big Bend.
"He was an old-school, just passionate, hard-nosed firefighter," Lyons said. "The cool thing about it, he was homegrown. He was born and raised here in Tallahassee, worked with his brother Brian -- one of the only brother combinations at the fire department. Definitely going to be greatly missed as a friend and as a firefighter."
Atkinson's viewing will be held Sunday evening at Bevis Funeral Home. His funeral will be held at the Pavilion at the Centre of Tallahassee Monday at 11 a.m.
