The Georgia first responder family and the suburban Atlanta community of Suwanee are processing a devastating loss following the sudden passing of veteran Driver/Engineer Tim Lister on Saturday, June 27, 2026. A highly decorated public safety icon and cornerstone of the Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services apparatus, Tim’s death comes just after completing a distinguished career spanning more than two decades of selfless service.
Known throughout the metro Atlanta region as a master tactical mentor, elite Swift Water rescue technician, and a highly demanding physical training coach, Tim’s impact reached deep into the ranks of hundreds of active firefighters whom he personally trained, guided, and inspired into the service.
Life and Legacy of Driver/Engineer Tim Lister
In Memoriam: Driver/Engineer Tim Lister — Gwinnett County Fire
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Hometown Roots : Gwinnett County, Atlanta, Georgia
Current Residence : Suwanee, Georgia
Date of Passing : Saturday, June 27, 2026
Service Tenure : 2004 – Recent Retirement (~21 Years of Service)
Primary Rank/Title : Driver / Engineer (D/E)
Specialty Units : Station 14 Swift Water Rescue Team
Training Leadership : Lead Academy Physical Training Instructor (12 Years)
Core Philosophy : "Give 100% in everything you do, and honor the profession."
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21 Years of Dynamic First Responder Excellence
D/E Tim Lister initially answered the call to public service in 2004, driven by a deep-seated desire to safeguard lives across Gwinnett County. His early foundational assignments included serving out of Station 5 while simultaneously finalizing his Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training, followed by a tactical deployment to the highly active Station 19.
Recognized early on for his exceptional athleticism and calm demeanor under intense pressure, Tim was selected to join the elite Station 14 Swift Water Rescue Team, mitigating complex water operations across northern Georgia for several years.
Eventually, his calling shifted from answering active emergency lines to forging the next generation of first responders. Tim transitioned to the Gwinnett County Training Academy, where he served with distinction as the Lead Physical Training Instructor for 12 years. In this grueling role, he set the baseline physical and structural standards for incoming classes, demanding technical absolute precision while maintaining a permanent, encouraging smile.
Deep Outpouring of Brotherhood and Professional Tributes
Following the tragic news over the weekend, emotional tributes flooded social channels from former students, military veterans, and fellow engineers who stood alongside him on the fire line.
Pillars of an Unwavering Lifework
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[ The Motivator ] ---> Pushed hundreds of raw academy recruits past their
perceived physical limits with absolute compassion.
[ The Engineer ] ---> Commanded heavy mechanical pump apparatus across
two decades of highly critical structural calls.
[ The Moral Anchor ] ---> Remembered for his vibrant, unshakeable faith and
unconditional positive reinforcement on the bay floor.
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His longtime colleague and training partner, Web Marshall, expressed the immense professional void left behind:
“Tim was a hell of a friend and a hell of a fireman. He was one of my instructors when I came into Gwinnett and we became friends and taught together a good bit. He positively impacted so many people through our department and in training. Tim was constantly grinding to help others achieve their potential.”
Fellow first responder Jordan Lee Weldon reflected on the spiritual comfort keeping his crew grounded during this time:
“The Driver/Engineer Tim Lister was one of the very best of us. Gone way too soon… Today, I am thankful for Tim’s faith. Because of that, we do not grieve like those who have no hope. Instead, I find comfort in Jesus’ words from John 16:22: ‘So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy.’ Thank you, Tim, for your service to this world.”
A former academy class leader highlighted how Tim’s leadership style seamlessly bridged military and civilian service:
“I was coming from the Army when I went into the FD and being around Tim made me realize that I had made the right decision and those were people who I was going to trust going into burning buildings with… Stern but fair, strong but compassionate, and always positive and full of humor. He basically had a permanent smile fixed.”
Lasting Words and Memorial Considerations
Before his tragic passing, Tim left behind a timeless blueprint for all aspiring first responders, summarizing his life’s philosophy during a career retrospective with the department:
“If I were to advise every new firefighter, I would tell them to never give up, give 100% in everything they do, and honor the profession and those that came before us.”
Tim Lister lived his life as a reflection of that very mandate. He is survived by his loving family, a host of close friends within the Suwanee area, and thousands of Gwinnett County public safety professionals who carry his lessons forward every time they slide down the pole or step onto an engine. Final arrangements and official memorial protocols are being coordinated by his family alongside Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services administration.