SOUTH BEXAR FIRE & RESCUE LOST ONE OF ITS OWN
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YOUNG FIREFIGHTER TAKEN TOO SOON
18 year old, Alex White, a firefighter with South Bexar Fire and Rescue died late yesterday. While he was not on duty; he had been at a trash fire hours earlier, his death hits hard at home and around the communities he touched.
From the information that I received it was said that he suffered from asthma and that he'd had an attack and his inhaler was not readily available. David Crowley and the firefighters at South Bexar are dealing with a great loss. This young man was just beginning his life and had so much more to give to his community.
Alex White was a student at Canyon Lake High School and was spending the holidays with his grandmother so that he could work with South Bexar Fire & Rescue. Alex's faith was an important part of his life as well as his belief in giving to his community. His dreams of being a firefighter came early in his life and he spent most of it working to achieve that dream.
His mother, Jackie Prater, herself was once a member of the Ata-Bexar VFD in Southern Bexar County and nearly delivered Alex in a fire truck; heading to the hospital.
Counselors were with the members of the South Bexar Fire and Rescue yesterday to help them deal with their loss. Today, however, arrangements and such will have to be made for Mr. White.
As most firefighters are closer than most co-workers. They become families and want to do what ever they can, however, this year has been tough for South Bexar Fire & Rescue. There is no doubt that they will do all that they can for this young firefighter and his family, but for those in the community that want to donate to help Alex White and his family, there are a couple of options.
- Please send or leave a donation at South Bexar Fire & Rescue on 281 S., just north of 1604. Address it to the Alex D. White Benefit Memorial Firefighter Fund and someone will get it to the bank for you.
- Go to a Wells Fargo Bank and leave a donation to the Alex D. White Benefit Memorial Firefighter Fund.
The state is at this time trying to determine if this was actually service related before agreeing to release any financial aid with the burial. When someone is taken from us so unexpectedly, it is devastating not only to the soul, but also financially. It is my understanding that there will be a fundraiser to help the White family, as I receive information I will update this post.
My prayers, as well as those in the community are with them.
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE
Services for Alex D. White will be on Monday, 26 December 2011. Viewing will begin at 9 a.m. with services at 1 p.m. at Zoeller Funeral Home in New Braunfels, TX. Burial to follow at Mountain Valley Cemetery in Sattler, Texas (Canyon Lake area).
A Fitting Burial For A Great Young Man
I was not able to attend, but I did hear that this special firefighter had a very special send-off to meet his maker. The number of fire trucks and other apparatus were phenominal, but the one thing that stood out about the day, is that after having a week of bad weather; God shone his light on this day to guide this special young man home; as the sun broke through at just the right time of day. May Alex White rest in peace and may his family take comfort during these hard times, knowing that he was loved and respected by all of those he touched.
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God bless his family, its a sad time for Bexars VFDs.
@HattieMattieMae, I am not asking for donations from the state. This was a volunteer fire department from a rural area that has been in litigation with the Emergency Services District that receives tax revenue for it's support. In over a year now, the ESD6 has squandered all the tax money and is not giving the fire departments the funds to stay afloat. The fundraisers, etc. that they are having are barely covering any of their costs. As of right now, they don't know if the ESD's insurance would cover anything for the victim and getting answers are slow in coming if they come at all. It's my understanding that this young man lived with his grandparents. This hub has a following from the local volunteers and community members and the appeal is to them for support for one of their own. Most of the volunteers are from the local area, it's not a prodominantly wealthy area either.
@ Melissa Hammon, yes it is a sad time for his family and his extended family of volunteer fire fighters.
May God comfort his family and our fellow brothers and siser right now. Alex was a funny hard working young man that only wanted to help every where he could. I know sandy oaks f.d as of like 4 months ago were the only ones with vfis insurance for our firefighters. Any donations will help for his expenses and his family. May you rest in peace Alex we will never forget you brother.
Yay, I send my condolences and prayers, just wasn't very clear in whether this family was in need of money or something. I understand the fire district is having problems. Just was not clear who you were addressing it to as well. I wasn't referring you were asking for donations from the state, I assumed people out of state would be reading this. I was stating the State of Texas must have emergency funds like Michigan for burial. Although it may not be much, if needed it is there if they are in dire straits of money for expenses!
Sorry to hear that and it is even more sad that politics is not providing the men the funds necessary for their department.
At 18 I would doubt he would have any type of insurance... I know l area depts will help with what they can...
That is how politics is played in south Bexar County, the ESD only care about what Chico tells them to. They don't care about the community and care even less about the people that service it as volunteers. It makes me sick to even think the ESD stopped paying for insurance for the firefighters. Guess they needed the extra money for the community center. I pray to God to keep everyone servicing our community safe. Thank you to all of you out there. RIP Alex White
Yes it is very sad when politics in such a low income rural area takes precedence over volunteer fire fighters' safety and well being. And it's sad that someone with such a fabulous life ahead of him is now gone. There are so many kids his age out running the streets getting into trouble. He was out there running calls keeping our area safe. I hope the donations come in to help his family meet those final expenses.
So sorry that sad sorry south bexar
I HOPE THAT DONT'S HAPPEN NO MORE CAUSE WE CANN'TCAUSE WE NEED THOSE PEOPLE
yeah i have astham and my dad is with SANDY OAKS VFD
and i go to SouthSide Losoya
HattieMattieMae Level 7 Commenter 5 months ago
I don't think I understand quite why your asking for donations. No disrespect for the the man who has died and may he R.I.P. I'm not sure how they do things In Texas, but here in Michigan if someone dies they have life insurance policies. I'm sure they have certain benefits, but I've never know a fire department just to pay for funeral expenses. I know they all attend the funeral services, and help out with meals and stuff, but that is usually by volunteering the dinners or showing up as pall bearers. I'm sorry for your loss! Just not understanding why your asking for donations out of the state if they have no money to bury him, when the state would help of course. There are many people in this situation every day! There must be local resources available as in any area, or dinners for a fundraiser, or collecting money in a jar at stores, like they do here when families can not afford things.