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By Charlotte Underwood
LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – Former LaFollette Fire Chief Wayne Gregg passed away on Monday morning. He was 70 years old. Gregg was a highly honored individual who had received multiple awards and accolades during his career and life and is well remembered by those who knew and worked with him.
Gregg started his 36 year career with the City of Lafollette on February 14th, 1974, as a firefighter. He was promoted to captain on October 18, 1980, and from there, it was on to being Assistant Chief in April of 1985. Just months later, he was named Fire Chief in August of 1985. He remained Chief until January 3rd, 2001. From then, he served as Code Enforcement and Fire Marshal until his retirement on May 17th, 2010.
LaFollette City Administrator and former Codes Enforcement officer Stan Foust worked with Gregg for 16 years. Foust said Gregg loved the community and the city.
“He was wonderful to work with. He had a heart for people and was always wanting to help everyone,” Foust said. Up until shortly before his death, Gregg would still call Foust every couple weeks to check in and see how things were going at the city.
During his career, Gregg recieved many honors and awards and served in multiple associations and boards.
In 1987, he was appointed as “Assistant Chief to the Commissioner” by the Commissioner State of Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance. In 1988, Gregg received a leadership award from the Tennessee Fire Chief’s Association and in 1989 the State of Tennessee Representatives passed a resolution in his honor. He held the chairman position for the East Tennessee Regional Council of Fire Chiefs from 1989 to 1990. In 1992, Gregg received the “Service and Support” award from LaFollette Fire Fighters and an “Instructor” award from the Tennessee Advisory Committee on Arson.
In 1993 Gregg was awarded the “Accomplishment of Standards and Education in Fire Fighting” from the Tennessee Commission on Fire Fighting. Also in 1993, he received an “Achievement in Investigation” award from the Tennessee Advisory Committee on Arson.
Gregg was honored for his 20 years of service in 1994 by the mayor, city council and city of LaFollette. and in 1995 the mayor and council passed a resolution honoring LaFollette’s fire fighters.
Over the years he had multiple letters of commendation written on his behalf including one each year from 1988 to 1992 by the Tennessee Department of Conservation. Other letters of commendation include one in 1988 from Tennessee State Representative Tom Wheeler, one in 1988 and 1989 from LaFollette City council member M.H. (Huddy) Scott and two more in 1988, one from LaFollette City council member Shirley Asbury and another from City Administrator Cade Sexton.
Peter Piper from Piper Aircraft and I.N.S. Investigation Bureau Inc. and Clinch Powell Regional Library also wrote letters of commendation to Gregg in 1988.
He recieved two more commendations, one in 1989 by United States Congressman Jim Cooper and another in 1993 by Jess Hodge with the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance.
Gregg was a member of Trinity Baptist Church, the Jacksboro Masonic Lodge #322, Knoxville Scottish Rite Temple, the LaFollette Royal Arch, the Tennessee Fire Chief’s Association, the East Tennessee Regional Council of Fire Chiefs, International Fire Service Instructors, the Tennessee Advisory Committee on Arson, the International Association Arson Investigators, Tennessee Fire Fighters Association, Tennessee Inspectors Association, Tennessee Public Fire Safety Association, Southern Building Code Congress International, Campbell County Fire Fighters Association, Campbell County Fire Chief Association, City of LaFollette E-911 Board, National Fire Protection Association, and Campbell County Emergency Management.
“During his career, he did a lot for the city. He was just an all around great guy, and he will be greatly missed by all that loved and knew him,” Foust said.
Masonic Rites for Chief Wayne Gregg will be presented by Jacksboro Masonic Lodge#322 on tonight 7:00 P.M. at Walters Funeral Home Chapel. A Memorial Service will immediately follow with Rev. Chris Allen officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. Thursday before services. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 02/03/2022-1:30PM)