06/29/2026
Rest easy, Chief Gary Brown. Thank you for your lifetime of service, leadership, and dedication to your department and community. Your legacy will live on through the countless lives you touched and the firefighters you inspired. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Brown family and everyone at Blue Ridge Fire & Rescue during this difficult time. 🚒
We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of retired Chief Gary Brown.
Chief Brown served our community honorably for a number of decades at Blue Ridge Fire and Rescue. He loved his fire department, his family and friends and will be missed by all.
Chief Brown started in the fire service as a Junior Fireman. He quickly rose through the ranks as an adult, serving as either chief or Assistant Chief for most of his career.
He was also the first full-time chief at Blue Ridge for many years where he retired from in 2017, serving briefly on the board of directors after that.
Chief was a passionate individual, had a big heart for others and loved to have fun as was evident by his playful personality, he was never a stranger to "cutting up".
As many of us mourn the loss of Chief Brown, we ask that you keep his family, fire department family and his many friends in your prayers.
On behalf of all of us at Blue Ridge Fire and Rescue we thank you Chief Brown, for everything you have done for all of us.
More information about honoring Chief Brown's legacy and his arrangements will be shared soon.
