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Obituary
Scott, 65, passed away on January 16, 2024, in Fresno, California, from a massive stroke, a complication from his battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He was born on January 3, 1959, in Fresno and grew up in Auberry, California. Scott graduated from Sierra H.S. in 1977 and began his firefighting career working as a seasonal employee on the Sierra N.F., where he worked on the Mountain Rest Engine and on the Trimmer Helitack crew. In 1987, Scott rookied with the California Smokejumpers in Redding California. Over the next nine years, Scott completed 185 parachute jumps and earned his Senior Rigger’s License. In 1996, Scott left the smokejumpers to lead a helicopter module based at White Cloud Station on the Tahoe N.F. In addition, he also managed the engine crew stationed there. In 2000, Scott helped at the Wildland Firefighter Apprenticeship Program (WFAP) when it was located at Fort Hunter Liggett. In 2001, he detailed to the WFAP program as a Battalion Chief, Assistant Academy Coordinator and assisted with the move to the USFS McClellan Training Center in Sacramento, California. In 2002, he accepted a permanent position there. At the academy, Scott made what probably was his biggest contribution in his fire career, assisting in the training and educating of thousands of apprentice students, beginning with Academy 11 thru Academy 44. Scott was a valued member of the program, and it was mentioned that ... “his legacy will live on through those he inspired.” In 2008, Scott was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, which led to an early retirement from his fire management career. Shortly thereafter, he left the academy and moved to San Rafeal to be with family, where he spent time adjusting to his medical condition. In 2013, Scott underwent experimental brain surgery at University of California San Francisco, which allowed him to continue to be physically active. In 2016, he published his book “Jumper Tales,” a collection of short stories from his smokejumper years. Scott received an A.A. in Journalism from Humboldt State University, in 2001. In 2019, Scott moved back to Auberry where he continued to stay active writing, hiking, duck hunting with his son. In his final years, Scott lived at an assisted living home in Fresno, where he continued to stay active helping staff and residents with physical fitness training.
Identifier
Whitmire_Scott-Frederick_Redding_1987
Publication Date
May 2024
Keywords
Smokejumping; Smokejumpers -- United States; National Smokejumper Association; Wildfire fighters; Obituaries
Disciplines
Forest Management
Recommended Citation
National Smokejumper Association, "Smokejumper Obituary: Whitmire, Scott Frederick (Redding 1987)" (2024). Smokejumper Obituaries. 1740.
https://dc.ewu.edu/smokejumper_bios/1740
