Thomas (Tommy) Cline Fuqua Obituary (1944 - 2025)

Born Apr 15, 1944, Thomas (Tommy) Cline Fuqua attended William Byrd High School in Vinton, VA. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Thomas (tommy) Cline Fuqua.

Graduation Year	Class of 1962
Date of Birth	Apr 15, 1944
Date of Passing	May 24, 2025
About	Thomas "Tommy" Cline Fuqua 81, born April 15, 1944 passed away peacefully at his Roanoke home on May 24, 2025. Born in Roanoke, Virginia to parents Jimmy and Lucille Fuqua. Tommy lived his life to the fullest and was able to do many things to help his fellow man. Tommy joined the Vinton Volunteer Fire Department in 1962 and served until 1978. In addition he was an active member of the Vinton First Aid Crew. He joined the US Army Reserves in 1964 serving until 1975, obtaining the rank of Senior Drill Sergeant (E7) and was assigned to the 80th Division Training in Salem, Virginia. He was also employed with the VA Hospital Fire Department where he served for four years. Tommy had a great passion for the fire service. He was certified as both a firefighter and an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). He became a certified fire instructor in 1974 where he began sharing his passion with others. He has taught hundreds of people both locally, at the state and national level. He was a distinguished instructor at the prestigious National Fire Academy where one year alone he taught for 24 weeks, inspiring many with instruction on leadership in the fire service profession. Community A graduate of William Byrd High School class of 1962, which was just the start of his formal education. Recognizing the need for advanced education to further the fire service as a fire officer, Tommy went to college graduating from Virginia Western College's Fire Sciences program in 1998 and obtaining a Bachelor Degree from Pacific Northwest University in 1996. In May 1977 he became a career firefighter with Roanoke County. He served as a firefighter, lieutenant, fire coordinator and in 1986, made history becoming the first career Fire Chief for Roanoke County. He has helped to shape what the Roanoke Regional Fire Service is today. He became an advocate for fire suppression systems and improved life safety codes following the Shenandoah Home fire in 1989, which claimed the lives of 4, and injured 24. He took roles with Virginia Fire Chiefs Association to ensure that voice was heard and that pivotal changes were made to reduce risks, he became President of the association in 1990. Tommy was appointed for two four year terms on the Virginia Fire Services Board serving under Governor Warner and later Governor Gilmore. In addition, he served as a FEMA Grant reviewer for several years. Upon retiring from Roanoke County in 2003 after 26 years, he continued to aid the region taking on leadership and advisory roles with Botetourt County. He continued to teach, which was his greatest passion. In addition to his fire service leadership he also was actively involved in the Melrose Masonic Lodge and the Rotary Club of North Roanoke. He took on officer roles and served on a variety of committees. It is no surprise that Tommy's favorite role there was being Chief of the Kazim Shrine Fire Brigade. He also received the Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship award for his contributions to his fellow man. Tommy Fuqua is preceded by his parents, Jimmy and Lucille Dillard Fuqua, brother and sister-in-law, Barry and Nancy Fuqua; nephew, Jeff Fuqua; and former wife, Dianne Fuqua. Surviving is his loving and devoted wife of 46 years, Hazel Fuqua; daughter, Donna Beth Conklin (Dwayne); son, Thomas E. "Tommy" Fuqua (Nadia); grandchildren, Natalia, Sofia and Elizabeth; brother, Terry Fuqua (Rhonda); nephews, Chris, Ryan, Jamie and David Fuqua (Amanda); dear friends, Todd and Marci Stone; his devoted support K-9, Higgins and many other family members and firefighting family member from across the United States that are too numerous to mention. In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorials be made to the Fire Fighter Cancer Support Network 2600 W. Olive Avenue Burbank, CA 91505 or to the National Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial S. Seton Avenue Emmitsburg, Maryland 21727. The family will receive friends Wednesday, May 28, 2025 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Simpson Funeral Home 5160 Peters Creek Road. Funeral services will be conducted 1:00 p.m. Thursday, May 29, 2025 at First Baptist Church 3rd Street Roanoke by Chaplain Bryan Clingenpeel. Interment will follow in Mountain View Cemetery, Vinton.