RAINSVILLE– The Rainsville Fire Department is mourning retired Fire Chief Thomas Wayne Ridgeway, 52, of Fyffe, who died Sunday, Sept. 13.
The department remembered Ridgeway as a strong leader who helped modernize its staffing and equipment. According to the department, he played a central role in moving firefighters to 24-hour shifts with multiple personnel assigned to each shift.
Ridgeway also oversaw a complete overhaul of the department’s fire truck fleet. Department officials said those changes strengthened operations and helped firefighters serve the community more efficiently.
Beyond those accomplishments, colleagues remembered Ridgeway as a friend, mentor, and role model. His influence reached firefighters throughout DeKalb County and neighboring counties.
Official Rainsville City Council records document Ridgeway’s leadership as early as 2014, including department equipment and fire-prevention work. In 2015, he also briefed council members on staffing and the department’s SAFER grant.
The funeral-home obituary says Ridgeway later retired from the City of Rainsville Fire Department. It also notes that he served 20 years on the DeKalb County Farmers Federation board.
The family will receive friends from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, at W.T. Wilson Funeral Chapel in Rainsville. The funeral service will begin there at 4 p.m., with the Rev. Richard Garland officiating.
Burial will follow at Corinth Cemetery. Ridgeway is survived by his wife, Jennifer, and son, Cason.
Instead of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations go to the Cason and Jennifer Ridgeway Trust Account at Peoples Independent Bank. The fund will help support Cason’s future educational needs.
The department extended condolences to Ridgeway’s family, friends, fellow firefighters, and everyone who knew him.
“You will be deeply missed, Chief Ridgeway,” the department said.
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