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Willets bridge dedicated to late firefighter Parris
By Justin Goble
The bridge over Dark Ridge Road on U.S. 23-74 was recently named for a fallen firefighter.
County commissioners announced July 17 that the state Department of Transportation approved a request to name the bridge in the Willets community after late firefighter Jake Parris Jr.
Commissioners’ Chairman and Balsam-Willets-Ochre Hill volunteer firefighter Brian McMahan brought up the request May 1, saying he thought Parris’ recognition was long overdue.
“I introduced that resolution to the commissioners because of Parris’ lifelong service and commitment to Jackson County,” McMahan said. “He lived in that community all of his life, he donated the land for the first fire station there and he was the first fire chief. He gave his life in the line of duty. I think people like that need to be recognized.”
Parris suffered a heart attack while on a first responder call May 21, 1993, at the scene of a man trapped by a boulder. Though he was taken from the scene alive, he never recovered and died nine months later.
“It happened just 200 yards below the cross at Mt. Lynn Lowery – about a 5,500-foot elevation,” said Johnny Nicholson, chief of the Balsam-Willets-Ochre Hill Volunteer Fire Department and son-in-law to the late chief. “As incident commander, Jake had to climb up and down the steep mountainside several times for equipment.
“He also helped carry the victim up the hill to the Mission Air Medical Ambulance,” said Nicholson. “As a result of this strenuous effort, Jake suffered a heart attack. Because of Jake’s efforts, the victim survived.”
“After his heart attack, Jake was never able to return to work,” Jake’s widow, Geneva, said. “He was permanently and totally disabled.”
McMahan said that, while no date is set, a dedication ceremony is being planned.
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