Chief Jeff Waldrep

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Chief Jeff Waldrep, a loving husband, father, son, and dedicated leader of the Anniston Fire Department. Waldrep, 54, passed away on June 10th, 2025. Jeff’s unexpected passing has left a huge hole in the life of all who knew and loved him. After graduating high school, Jeff attended Jacksonville State University to work towards a teaching and coaching degree. After a little over three years, Jeff found his love for fire fighting and joined Anniston Fire Department on January 1, 1994. During his career with the Anniston Fire Department, Jeff served in all ranks within the Department to include: Firefighter, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, Fire Marshal, Assistant Chief, and Fire Chief. From day one, his goal was to never stop learning and to share any knowledge he possessed with the younger members of the Department. He believed mentoring and succession planning should be a huge part of any successful organization. It is often said that firefighting is like a brotherhood, but Chief Waldrep took it to heart. He thought of each one of them as part of his family. Beyond his work in the fire department, Waldrep represented the Anniston community in many ways. He served as Vice President, President, and Immediate Past President for the Alabama Fire Chiefs Association. He worked as the Program Coordinator for Fire Investigation for the Alabama Fire College. He was also a board member on the Calhoun County 911 Board of Commission, the Anniston Planning Commission, and the Cheaha Regional Head Start Health Advisory Committee. Some of the projects that Chief Waldrep completed under his leadership included a $1.2 million training center expansion, obtaining a second set of turnout gear and replacement breathing apparatuses for all firefighters, purchasing 50 new portable radios, and breaking ground on a $6 million Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting training facility. Waldrep worked tirelessly to protect and serve the City of Anniston by always ensuring public safety. Jeff met Christie on November 19, 1994 as a blind date and they have been inseparable ever since. They were then married on October 11, 1997. They welcomed their daughter, Rylee, into the world on June 3, 1999. Their almost thirty-one years together stood as a beautiful testament to a love that transcended time. It filled their lives with an unwavering devotion and cherished moments leaving them wishing they had more time to celebrate life’s simple moments together. Waldrep was a strong role model and devoted father to his daughter and took great pride in watching her grow into a responsible and compassionate young woman. He was counting down the days to have his first granddaughter, Whitlee Blaire, in his arms. Jeff worked hard everyday to support, protect, provide, and sometimes even spoil, his wife and daughter. He is survived by his wife, Christie Waldrep; daughter, Rylee Waldrep Corkern (Wesley Corkern); soon to be granddaughter, Whitlee Blaire Corkern; mother, Brenda Waldrep; father, Eddie Waldrep; Anniston Fire Department Family, and all other extended family. A funeral service for Jeff will be held on Friday, June 13, 2025 at 2:00pm at Golden Springs Baptist Church with Pastor Brent Thompson and Pastor Roland Brown officiating. The family will receive friends the same day from 12:00 pm until 1:50 pm at the church. Following the funeral service, Jeff will be laid to rest at Dogwood Trail Memorial Gardens. Pallbearer’s for Chief Jeff Waldrep will be Assistant Chief Katherine Meherg, Assistant Chief Johnnie Phelps, Assistant Chief Brandon Connell, Assistant Chief Eric Arnold, Assistant Chief Dale Findley, and Assistant Chief Jason Brown. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jeff’s name to: The Fill the Boot Fundraiser for Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) at https://www.mda.org/filltheboot/iaff or the Justin Robert’s Scholarship Fund for the Anniston Regional Training Center where you can write a check to Anniston Firefighters L508 or Cashapp: $AFDLocal508

Tributes

Chief Jeff Waldrep

February 15, 1971 - June 10, 2025