A loving husband and dedicated son, Eric Shane Marsh was born and raised in the mountains of North Carolina. He graduated with honors from Ashe Central High, where he was a running back on the football team. He graduated from Appalachian State with a degree as a biologist/naturalist and worked and excelled at several jobs, but the one he really loved was wildland firefighting. He worked for several years with the Globe Hotshots out of Tonto National Forest.

Eric had a great love for the outdoors. He was a rock and ice climber who proposed to his wife on an ice climbing trip to Ouray, Colorado. He was also an equestrian with a great love for his horse, "Shorty," a skier and member of the ski patrol at Sunrise Mountain, a fisherman, motorcyclist, and avid cyclist and mountain biker.

Eric joined the City of Prescott in 2003 as part of the fuels management crew and worked to build a city-sponsored wildland team. He was an instrumental part of the Granite Mountain Hotshot organization. He helped start the Arizona Wildfire Academy (from his living room), where he taught basic firefighting, squad boss, and leadership classes.

Eric's wife, Amanda, and his parents, John and Jane, want Eric remembered as a compassionate, good-hearted, loyal, and generous man of integrity who loved his family, his life, and being a Granite Mountain Hotshot.

Jesse James Steed was born in Cottonwood, Arizona, September 28, 1976. Jesse was the beloved husband of Desiree Steed and amazing father to Caden (4), and Cambria (3).

After Jesse graduated from high school he joined the United States Marine Corps, serving from 1996 until 2000. He joined the Forest Service in 2001, often saying it was the closest thing to military camaraderie that he could find in the civilian world. He worked on the Prescott Hotshot, helitack, and engine crews until he became a part of the Granite Mountain Hotshots in 2009. He proudly served as the captain to a crew he referred to as a brotherhood.

Jesse had a way of making everyone around him feel like they were the most special person in his life. He would always greet and leave you with a rib crushing hug and never said goodbye to anyone without an "I love you."

Clayton Thomas Whitted was born June 27, 1985, to Carl and Kathleen Whitted. He was raised in Prescott, Arizona, and from a young age had a strong love for life and the outdoors.

After high school, Clayton pursued his longtime dream of becoming a firefighter and accepted a position with the Prescott Hotshots. When his mother became ill, Clayton took a full-time position with the Heights Church Youth and became the junior high pastor. He resumed his career and started with the Granite Mountain Hotshots, where he became a squad leader.

Though Prescott may mourn the loss of Clayton Whitted, though the nation may mourn the loss of a brave firefighter, and though the world may mourn this tragedy, we will choose to celebrate his time on earth.

"I'd rather die in my boots than live in a suit." Robert Caldwell lived by these words and was always a man true to his word. He died with honor, with his brothers, in the line of duty with his boots tight on his feet.

He is survived by his wife, Claire; son, Zion; his mother and father, Dave and Linda Caldwell; and his sister, Taylor Caldwell.

His wife, Claire, says, "I am fortunate to be Robert's wife. While I didn't have him in my life long enough, each moment that we shared was a blessing. Robert was the kind of man every man strives to be — he was the husband every woman dreams of and a father a child could look up to."

Travis Carter was born on August 7, 1982, in Prescott, Arizona. As a little boy, he loved to work on the Necktie Ranch in Walnut Grove with his dad. He was an outstanding athlete and an all-state, all-conference football player at Orme in Dewey, Arizona.

His firefighting career began in 2005, where he worked for the Prescott National Forest as a Hotshot. In 2009 he was chosen to be among the elite Granite Mountain Hotshots crew through the City of Prescott.

His family is grateful to the Lord for Travis' life and for the time they had with him. He will be greatly missed, but know he is finally home with the Lord, whom he loved.

Travis Turbyfill was born on March 25, 1986, and grew up in beautiful Prescott, Arizona. He graduated from Prescott High School in 2004 and fulfilled a lifelong dream when he began his career as a wildland firefighter in 2005. Travis served in the United States Marine Corps from 2007 to 2010.

He resumed his career as a firefighter in 2011 with the Granite Mountain Hotshots, a crew of men who were not just coworkers but friends and brothers.

His wife Stephanie says: "Not a day went by that we didn't know how much he loved us, cared for us, and appreciated us. He thought he was the luckiest man in the world, but I know we were the lucky ones."

Christopher Alan MacKenzie was born on September 12, 1982, in Fontana, California. It was in high school that Chris thrived. There wasn't a student that didn't know him. Football became his passion.

Before working for the Prescott Fire Department, Chris worked for the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service. In 2010, Chris was invited to apply to the Granite Mountain Hotshots.

The testament of Chris's life was not so much in the moments of his journey but more told in the manner in which he lived them. Chris lived his life to the fullest and went places most people dream about. Most of all, Chris loved to be with his friends.

Andrew Sterling Ashcraft was born on February 15, 1984, in Orange, California. He and his wife Juliann have four children: Ryder Sterling (6), Shiloh (4), Tate Andrew (2), and Choice Crockett (18 months).

Andrew became a member of the Granite Mountain Hotshots in 2011, and was awarded the "Rookie of the Year" honors for that fire season. He loved every second of his time on the crew and had dreamt of being a firefighter since he was a boy.

Andrew was known for his contagious smile, his heart of gold, his genuinely kind spirit, and for loving his mustache.

Joe was a devoted husband, father, and son. He had a smile that would light up a room and a laugh that would warm your heart. Joe always did everything he could to help others.

Joe earned his bachelor's degree in biology in 2006 and his EMT in 2011. He began his wildland fire career in 2008. He was thrilled and so proud when he became a Granite Mountain Hotshot in 2012.

He is survived by his wife, Marsena, and his children, Ethan and Collin.

A native of Chino Valley, Arizona, Wade Scott Parker joined the Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot crew in 2012. He was awarded Rookie of the Year his first season.

Wade was a natural leader; he didn't demand respect, but earned it. He was a man of honor, integrity, and wisdom beyond his years, as well as an inspiration to others.

Wade and the other members of the Yarnell 19 loved and honored each other, staying together until the end. They will all be greatly missed.

At the young age of 23, Anthony was compassionate for anything that had to do with fire. He became a crew member for the Granite Mountain Hotshots in 2012, after working for four years with the Crown King Fire Department.

Anthony could brighten up a room with his smile and sense of humor, and he was always well liked by others. He was loyal to his brothers through thick and thin.

Anthony will never be forgotten. He lives on every day through his daughter — bright blue eyes and an unforgettable smile. He leaves behind his fiancée, Tiffany, and his daughter, Willow.

Garret was born December 14, 1985, in Phoenix, Arizona. He graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree from Eller College of Management in 2008.

He was extremely proud and excited to be accepted as a member of the Granite Mountain Hotshots for the 2012 season, having no prior experience or background in firefighting. During his rookie season, he was awarded the fire boots for being first in his class.

Garret had a sense of humor like no other. He was a free spirit and loved a great adventure. He lived his life by his favorite saying: "Dream as if you will live forever, live as if you will die tomorrow."

Scott Daniel Norris was born October 12, 1984, to Jim and Karen Norris of Prescott, Arizona. Scott was an intelligent, stable, responsible young man who valued his family and friends, loved adventure and traveling, and enjoyed making others laugh.

In 2009, Scott was hired by the Payson Hotshots, with whom he worked four seasons; he learned discipline and leadership, gained wisdom, and forged many fine friendships.

Scott was hired in March, 2013 to be a wildland firefighter for the Granite Mountain Hotshots. Scott, along with eighteen other brave young men, lost his life on Yarnell Hill on June 30, 2013.

Dustin James DeFord, 24, was born December 13, 1988, in Baltimore, Maryland. He was homeschooled through elementary and high school, graduating in 2007. He attended Cornerstone Bible Institute in Hot Springs, South Dakota.

His ambition was to be a Hotshot firefighter, so he was thrilled when he was accepted with the Granite Mountain Hotshots.

Dustin was the "life of the party" at any gathering of friends or family. He loved entertaining with his goofy humor, hunting, espresso coffee, noise of any kind, social life, and life in general. He could be seen reading his Bible every morning.

William Howard Warneke, "Billy," was an avid outdoorsman. Born in Hemet, California, he was instilled with the morals of country living — love for country, integrity, honesty, and pride in one's work. He lived each day with courage.

His courageous spirit led him to enlist in the United States Marine Corps when he was 17 and to serve a combat tour in Iraq. After honorably serving, he earned his EMT-B, graduated from fire academy, and earned a degree in fire science with a 3.55 GPA.

Billy possessed honor, high morals, and unwavering loyalty. He always strived to be the best in everything that he did, which led him to the Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew. He is survived by his wife, Roxanne, and his daughter, Billie Grace.

Kevin Woyjeck died fulfilling a family firefighter legacy. His father, Joe Woyjeck, was a fire captain with the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Kevin wanted to follow in his father's footsteps, first joining the LA County Fire Department Explorers Club when he was 15.

Kevin joined the Granite Mountain Hotshots to gain the wildland firefighting experience he needed for his desired job in the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

His sister Maddie says: "I'm going to miss his smile, his laugh, the way he said 'I love you.' He was so outgoing; he could walk into a room and just start a fire inside of somebody."

John Percin loved his family and his beautiful English lab, Champ, more than anything in the world. John's honesty and loyalty guided him every step of the way.

He was forever touched by the love of his friends at the Chapter Five Recovery Center, and he was equally touched by the love of his brothers in the Granite Mountain Hotshots.

John's passion for life was deep. He approached every day with optimism and excitement. John was truly at peace when he was out enjoying the beauty of life. John is a hero who made us all so very proud.

Grant Quinn McKee was a true brave heart. To say he had the heart of a lion falls short of who he was. Grant was born May 18, 1992, in Newport Beach, California.

He enjoyed wrestling in high school and running marathons. His competitive nature, coupled with his desire to help others, was from where others drew strength.

Grant received his EMT from Yavapai College and joined his cousin, Robert Caldwell, on the Granite Mountain Hotshots in 2013.

Sean Michael Misner was born April 8, 1987, in Goleta, California. He always wanted to play professional football for the Dallas Cowboys, but quickly realized his true passion was to be a firefighter like his grandfather, great-grandfather, uncles, and cousin.

On January 1, 2013, Sean learned he was going to be a father for the first time to a son. April 8th was his first day with the Granite Mountain Hotshots. Sean spoke highly of all his crew members, and he trusted every single one of them to have his back.

Everyone who knew the devoted husband, father-to-be, son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, and friend could count on him.

Brendan is the lone survivor of the Yarnell Hill fire tragedy of 2013. Today he is a firefighter with the City of Prescott Fire Department, public speaker and works with numerous nonprofits for veterans, police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical services. He lives in Prescott, Arizona.

McDonough is an uplifting speaker, whose courage to find support at his weakest has inspired others to find their own tribes of support. Building a sense of brotherhood within communities gives McDonough great joy — because it helps this fighter honor the legacy of his 19 lost, but not forgotten, brothers.