The tombstone for Jarrod Brodnax features a firefighter's shield on the reverse.
The front of the tombstone reads:
"JARROD BRODNAX
Mar. 28, 1980
Jan 16, 1013
Your love will light our way."
We found his obituary on the Dallas Morning News: (
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"Brodnax, Jarrod Laine Jarrod Laine Brodnax, 32, was received into the hands of God, Wednesday, January 16, 2013. Visitation: 6pm to 8pm Monday, January 21, 2013 at Walnut Ridge Baptist Church; 1201 SH 360; Mansfield, TX 76063. Funeral Service: 11am Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at Walnut Ridge Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Midlothian Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the SPCA or the Nathan Gardner Fund through the Mansfield Fire Department. An account has also been established for Jarrod's two young children at Vintage Bank, PO Box 1459, Midlothian, TX 76065. Jarrod was born March 28, 1980, in Dallas to Ricky and Karen Brodnax. He graduated from Midlothian High School in 1999. While in college, he met his best friend and soulmate, Melissa Wolf, and they were married May 1, 2004. In September 2006, Jarrod began his career as a Mansfield firefighter and paramedic where he was recognized and awarded Rookie Of The Year. Jarrod was quite passionate about his work and instructed EMT/paramedic courses at Navarro Junior College for several years. He was a member of the Midlothian First Baptist Church and loved the outdoors, whether it be hunting, fishing, or going to a Rangers game. Jarrod's favorite roles in life were as a father and husband. Although his time as a father was short, his love and devotion for his children was unequaled. Many thanks to the Mansfield Fire Department and community for all their love and support the past two years. Jarrod will be deeply missed and always loved by his family and many friends. Survivors: Wife of eight years, Melissa Brodnax; daughters, Maryn and Larkyn Brodnax of Midlothian; parents, Ricky and Karen Brodnax of Midlothian; sister, Mandi Wilcox and husband, Brian, of Midlothian; nephew, Jaxon Wilcox of Midlothian; maternal grandfather, William James and wife, Faye, of Cedar Creek; father and mother in-law, Rodney and Norma Wolf; brother-in-law, Nathan Wolf of Midlothian; numerous aunts, uncles and other relatives; and companion, Alli, his yellow labrador retriever."
More from KTVT-TV news: (
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"MANSFIELD (CBSDFW.COM) – It was more than two years ago that a freak on the job injury ultimately led to a North Texas firefighter and paramedic learning that he had a fatal degenerative disorder. On January 16, 2013, Mansfield first responder Jarrod Brodnax lost his battle with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Just after Christmas 2011 CBS 11 News profiled Brodnax and his family. The 32-year-old was married and had two children. Though he was wheelchair-bound said he was thankful to have seen another holiday and had the opportunity to hold his children. “Every day is a good day that I get another chance to wake up,” he said. “I know I’m blessed to be alive.”
Brodnax, who was born in Dallas and graduated from Midlothian High School, joined the Mansfield Fire Department in 2006. He received many honors while with the department, including the Rookie Of The Year Award, but was forced to retire on long-term disability in 2012.
Jarrod Brodnax was working in November of 2010, securing a patient being transported on a stretcher. The patient began to slip and as Brodnax tried to catch the stretcher he twisted his ankle and said he felt a “pop” in his shoulder. That injury led to three surgical operations. It was during the last procedure that doctors discovered he had ALS.
When CBS 11 visited Brodnax he said he was unable to hold his daughters, then 6-month-old Larkyn and 3-year-old Maryn. His wife Melissa stood strongly beside her husband and always hoped for the best. “Prognosis is not good, but we are still praying for a miracle. We’ve heard stories that this can be healed,” she optimistically said in 2011.
For many Jarrod Brodnax’ brief life was a miracle. A statement of the City of Mansfield Fire Department website said, in part, “During his short time with the department he touched and changed the lives of the citizens of Mansfield.” The statement ended, “He will be greatly missed.”
Monday night, Jarrod’s wife Melissa spoke with CBS 11 about her husband’s legacy. “Jarrod is at peace now. We all feel like we can take a deep breath and move on and that’s what he would want. We know he’s up there looking down on us.”
She says explaining her husband’s loss will be the hardest for her daughters, now 4 and 18 months. “We talked a little bit and she doesn’t understand a lot,” she said of the 4-year-old. ” I think she knows something is going on.” As for the younger daughter, she said the family will have lots of stories and memories to tell her about her father.
Funeral services for Jarrod Brodnax will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 22, 1013 and will take place at the Walnut Ridge Baptist Church in Mansfield. An open procession along Heritage Parkway from Main Street to Broad Street will begin at 9:45 a.m. Only family and members of Mansfield Fire Rescue will attend his private burial.
A fund has been set up for the family. You can find it at the Mansfield Fire Fighter Association website – mffa3599.org."