Kevin W. Mcmasters

Kevin McMasters, 59, of Bay, passed from this life on Sunday, December 15, 2019, at NEA Baptist Medical Center in Jonesboro.

Born in Austin, Minnesota, Kevin moved to Bay in 1963 and lived much of his life there. He was a 1978 graduate of Westside High School and earned Bachelors and Masters degrees from Arkansas State University. Kevin was a adjunct professor at Arkansas State University where he taught Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management. He was a member of Broadway Avenue Missionary Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon and song leader. Kevin was a past member of the Bay City Council.

For 35 years Kevin has been a member of the Bay Fire Department and has served as Chief for many years. He served 10 years, from 2004-2013, as President of the State Firefighters Association of Arkansas and was active in the National Firefighters Institute, National Volunteer Fire Council and National Association of Emergency Management. Kevin was recognized by Eli Lily Company as a 50-year Type I Diabetes survivor having been diagnosed with diabetes at age 7. Kevin served several years on St. Bernards Patient and Family Advisory Council and the Arkansas Patient and Family Advisory Council.

Survivors include his wife, Tracey Holt McMasters of the home;
His parents: Robert and Dale McMasters of Bay;
1 brother, Kent McMasters of Jonesboro;
2 special cousins, who were just like sisters: Vanessa Criswell of Bay and Valorie (David) Wade of Lafayette, Indiana; and
1 niece, Hayley Overbay of Jonesboro;

Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday in Emerson Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday in Emerson Memorial Chapel with Bro. Rick Jensen and Bro. Joel McMasters officiating. Rachel Nix, Director of the Arkansas Fire Academy in Camden will deliver the eulogy. Burial with Firefighters Honors will follow in Jonesboro Memorial Park.

Members of the Jonesboro Fire Department Honor Guard will serve as active pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be John Henry, J.R. Mann and members of the Bay Fire Department.

For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to the Bay Fire Department Building Fund, POB 13, Bay, AR 72411; the Broadway Avenue Missionary Baptist Church, POB 10, Bay, AR 72411; or the Arkansas Fallen Firefighter Memorial Fund, POB 56470, Little Rock, AR 72215.