Area Mourns Sudden Death Of Retired Assistant Fire Chief (With Arrangements)

April 17, 2013

Atmore and surrounding communities are mourning the loss of a longtime fireman who passed away suddenly Tuesday afternoon.

Atmore Fire Department retired Assistant Chief Mike Staples began his three decade career as a fireman and worked his way up through the ranks to assistant chief. He retired in August 2012.

He is survived by his wife and his children.

A wake will be held Friday from 5-8 p.m. at Mayberry Funeral Home in Atmore. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Grace Fellowship in Atmore, with burial to follow at Fairview Cemetery.

Pictured: As assistant fire chief, Atmore fireman Mike Staples supervises a live burn exercise. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

23 Responses to “Area Mourns Sudden Death Of Retired Assistant Fire Chief (With Arrangements)”

  1. suga on April 19th, 2013 5:29 pm

    rip (mr.mike staples)

  2. Heath on April 18th, 2013 10:37 pm

    Friendly, well respected, loved, loyal, dedicated, smart, mischievous, and friend are some of the words I could describe good ole Staples! I always loved to walk by the fire station and see Staples on shift and hear him holler “jumpout”. He always had a way of making you feel better about yourself. Not sure if it was the warm pat on the back, or the encouraging words he always said to people but he was a good man. I pray for his family, friends, and the great group of guys at the fire department.

    May you rest in peace ole buddy,
    Heath

  3. Tony Pettway on April 18th, 2013 8:02 pm

    Mike rest in peace. I played basketball with Mike and he always was a very nice and respectable man.May God bless your family and loved ones.

  4. Buddy Love on April 18th, 2013 7:54 pm

    We will miss you Chief . Ever since I started at the Atmore Fire Dept. you have been there leading and helping all of us become great firefighters . Even after you retired you made it a point to come by and check on all of us . Thank you Chief for every thing you did for us and every thing you taught us .

    THANK YOU ,

    Buddy Love F- 10

  5. Bobby on April 18th, 2013 11:12 am

    Chief Staples, He was a brother and a friend and he taught us at Atmore Fire right from wrong..He wanted us to be the BEST at all times..He would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it.When I came to work at Atmore Fire in 2005 chief staples took me in on his shift and taught me and showed me how to be the best..Thats what he wanted out of every Atmore Firemen…. Thank You Chief Staples for make’n me the man I am……You will be missed… Bobby F-12

  6. McCullough VFD 8 on April 18th, 2013 12:24 am

    R.I.P. Mike!! You will be truly missed by all of our fellow firefighters,, We have a Brother//Sisterhood and words cant express what we are feeling right now…. To Haley and the family our hearts bleed with your loss and we pray God will comort you in your time of grief…….. Always cherish the memories as i will the last words i heard him say to me on that Monday afternoon when he stopped by the store where i work never would i have thought that would be the last time i would hear him say What’s up Big Chief<< This is not a good bye but i'll see ya later !!!! Thanks for being our Guardian Angel ,,

  7. Country on April 17th, 2013 9:16 pm

    To my brother and friend:

    Chief Staples,
    When I first begun my career at the Atmore Fire Dept, you were there. While going through school, you were there. When I graduated, you were there. Every step of the way you’ve always been right there. After graduation you took me underneath your wing and ultimately made me the fireman I am today. I will miss your knowledge, inspiration, and especially your friendship. You will forever be a part of the Atmore Fire Deptartment and forever be a part of my family.
    Rest in peace brother.

    Sincerely,
    Country.

  8. hylton on April 17th, 2013 5:23 pm

    Rest in Peace brother…… I’m so sorry to hear of your passing and I wish comfort and peace to your family.

  9. Poarch vfm on April 17th, 2013 4:32 pm

    Rest in peace chief.may Gods grace and comfort be with the family.

  10. Danny on April 17th, 2013 12:03 pm

    R.I.P. MY BROTHER YOU WERE ALWAYS THERE IN THE GOOD AND THE BAD, YOU WILL BE MISSED BUT NOT FORGOTTEN .

  11. Becky on April 17th, 2013 11:26 am

    My thoughts and prayers go out to Mike’s family and friends. He has been such a good friend of mine for years. Mike would do whatever he could for you no matter who you were. You will be saddley missed. RIP Mike

  12. mom on April 17th, 2013 11:18 am

    My condolences Mrs. Staples and family. I worked with his mom at one time and she is also a very fine lady, who respected and loved her son more than life. Atmore has lost a hero and a friend

  13. AFD on April 17th, 2013 10:04 am

    We will miss you chief . Thanks for everything you did for our fire department . Our prayers got out to your family.

  14. J.B. Blackmon on April 17th, 2013 10:01 am

    Were all gonna miss you Chief. You were a true Hero & someone to aspire to.

  15. Thankful Citizen on April 17th, 2013 9:49 am

    Condolences and prayers to Fireman Staples family and brother/sister firemen.

  16. Retired Chief on April 17th, 2013 9:29 am

    Another Hero has fallen my prayers and deepest sympathy to his family reat in pease my brother.

  17. Ken on April 17th, 2013 8:52 am

    I hate to hear this. Mike and I went through recruit school together in 1982. Although I moved to Tuscaloosa in 1984 to continue my career, Mike and I remained freinds, sharing laughs and stories when we had opportunities to visit. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and the Atmore Fire Department.

  18. Billy Gates on April 17th, 2013 8:48 am

    Mike was one of the most respectable men I knew always cordial and an asset to Atmore FD even in retirement. Watch out Hades another professional fire fighter is on watch in heaven. He will be missed.

  19. Miranda on April 17th, 2013 7:01 am

    Wow I’m at a total loss right now! Mike was one of the best men I ever knew! If you needed anything Mike would do his best to make it happen. My prayers go out to his family and friends. What a true loss!

  20. Molino firefighter on April 17th, 2013 7:01 am

    WE HAVE LOST A BROTHER IN FIRE. RIP MIKE

  21. Regina Gohagan on April 17th, 2013 5:56 am

    Prayers and sympathy to Mike’s family. May God give you comfort and peace.

  22. Alfirewoman on April 17th, 2013 5:23 am

    My heart breaks!..thoughts are with his family,freinds,and fellow brothers/sisters…He was always so kind to me and a professional doing what he loved. Atmore fd,our dept. are all thinking of u. RIP MY BROTHER!

  23. Chad on April 17th, 2013 12:59 am

    Gonna miss you brother. Thanks for everything !!!