St. John's Cemetery Individual Record

Roy L. Sr. Isakson

Roy L. Sr. Isakson
(November 13, 1935 -- October 8, 2016)

Section: 61b
Space: 3
Lot: 4
Parents: Leroy & Florence Nuenke Isakson
Spouse: Theresa Simpson
Place of Birth: Chicago, IL
Military: Vietnam War
Occupation: Government
Comments: Fireman
Current Owner: Isakson, Roy

Roy L. Isakson Sr., 80, of Gulf Breeze passed away on Saturday, October 8, 2016, after a short battle with cancer. Chief Isakson was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma caused by Agent Orange as a result of his time served in Vietnam. 

Isakson Sr. was born November 13, 1935 in Chicago, Ill. to LeRoy and Florence Isakson, both predeceased. Chief Isakson was also predeceased by his brother, Richard "Dick" Isakson. He is survived by one brother, Robert "Bob" Isakson and his aunt, Phyllis Craig. 

In addition to immediate family members, Chief Isakson is survived by his wife of 56 years, Theresa Isakson, and their three children, Shellie Isakson-Smith (David), Roy "Sonny" Isakson Jr. (Tammy) and Curt Isakson (Jessica). He is also survived by his eight grandchildren, Wayne Isakson, Preston Resmondo, Meaghan Evans (Brandon), Kristian Isakson, Amber Isakson, Trevor Isakson, Catherine Isakson and Lucas Isakson, as well as eight great-grandchildren. 

Chief Isakson met his wife after joining the U.S. Air Force and while stationed in Rialto, Ca. They met in June of 1960 and were married just six months later in December of 1960. Chief Isakson retired from military service after 25 years at Hurlburt Field as a Master Sergeant in April of 1973. Chief Isakson and his wife moved to 4708 Hickory Shores Blvd. in Gulf Breeze in 1971. The property had been owned by family since the 40s, and was frequented by them as a beach cottage in the summers prior to them calling it home. 

Chief Isakson joined the Midway Fire Department in December of 1971. He started as a volunteer firefighter and ended as a Division Chief on March 11, 2016, having devoted 45 years to fire rescue. During his time with the fire department, Chief Isakson received several recognitions including Firefighter of the Year by the Gulf Breeze Optimist Club in 2009, Officer of the year numerous Leadership awards, established a Junior Firefighter program and Fire Inspector of the Year by the state of Florida in 2011. In 2009, due to budget restraints, Chief Isakson stepped up as the state's only volunteer fire inspector and received his accredited certification as Florida Fire Inspector and Fire Instructor III. Chief Isakson was honored at the 63rd Annual Fire Prevention Conference in St. Augustine on November 3, 2011. 

Chief Isakson also received his Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of West Florida in 1983, and was a member and participant of the Oversight Committee (in recent years) of Coastline Calvary Chapel for 20 years. 

The visitation will take place at Rose Lawn Funeral Home in Gulf Breeze on Sunday, October 16, 2016 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Services will be held at Coastline Calvary Chapel on Oriole Beach Rd. in Gulf Breeze on Monday, October 17, 2016 at 11:30 a.m. Directly following the services, the burial with military honors will take place at St. John's Cemetery. 

The family has assisted in setting up a benevolent fund through Midway Fire Department in memory of Roy Isakson Sr. For more information, please contact Midway Fire Dept. at (850) 932-4771.

Arrangements entrusted to Rose Lawn Funeral Home.