Clayton High School honors fallen firefighter before football season opener

A Clayton firefighter who died last fall of COVID-19 was honored Thursday night by Clayton High School before the kickoff of its opening game of a modified prep football season.

Jason Dean, a 20-year member of the Clayton Fire Department, died in September.

42-year-old Clayton firefighter dies after battling COVID-19

Clayton High is where Dean graduated. It's also where he played football before becoming an inspiration in the fire department.

Dean's youngest daughter, Harper, helped kick off the football season with the coin toss. His wife, Kristy Dean, says the moment was memorable and fitting.

“To see the rival schools come together for a common purpose is very special,” she said.

Daughter Addison Dean says her dad made every situation a little brighter.

"He would light up a room," she said. "Say one word, and the room lit up.”

Kristy Dean says she is grateful for all the support she and her family have received.

“It’s just overwhelming compassion, appreciation, to know that our community is still supporting us so many months later," she said.

Jason Dean, known as "JD" within the Clayton Fire Department, passed away after battling COVID-19 for a month. His family at the fire department says they still have his back.

"We’re still honoring him. We’re going to keep the trucks rolling and keep going because that’s what he would want us to do," said Matthew Sutphin, deputy chief.

Sutphin worked under Jason Dean for years, but now with Kristy Dean's permission, he's taken over the role as deputy chief.

“I remember the first time she [Kristy] texted me, it brought tears to my eyes," Sutphin said. "She said she never thought she needed a brother until something like this.”

The Dean family told WRAL News there’s no one else they’d rather see carry on Jason Dean’s hard work.

And they want him to know he’ll never be forgotten.

“We’re doing the best that we can at home," Kristy Dean said. "The guys are doing the best that they can, and everyone is taking good care of everybody, and he doesn’t need to worry.”