From the City of Sugar Land:
A public service is scheduled for Sugar Land Fire-EMS Assistant Chief Clay Fenwick, 57, who died on Friday after battling cancer for almost two years.
Visitation will be held on Friday at Clayton Funeral Home Pearland, 5530 West Broadway, from 6-8 p.m. Funeral Services will follow on Saturday at First United Methodist Church of Pearland, 2314 North Grand Blvd., at 11 a.m.
Fenwick was a 28-year veteran of the Sugar Land Fire-EMS Department and the first firefighter in the history of the department to die in the line of duty. He will be honored with full departmental honors for a lifetime career of public safety service and his ultimate sacrifice.
“Clay was a valued member of our family, and he will be missed,” said Fire Chief Doug Boeker. “It’s well known that the fire service is a dangerous profession. Sometimes the danger is not clear or visibly present, but it’s there all the same. Clay died protecting the people of Sugar Land; he’s a true hero, and we’ll make sure his contributions are never forgotten. Sugar Land is safer today because of Clay, and we all owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude.”
Fenwick began firefighting in 1983 as a member of the Pearland Volunteer Fire Department, where he served until 1994. Since joining Sugar Land in 1991, he served as a firefighter, driver, lieutenant, captain, battalion chief and assistant chief. He also served as interim fire chief from September 2008 until April 2009.
In addition to overseeing emergency services and special projects, Fenwick:
- managed the construction of several new fire stations, including the first LEED-certified City building;
- assisted with the purchase and repair process of the department’s fire apparatus/fleet to ensure our personnel had the equipment they needed to respond quickly to calls.
- assisted with the development of policies and training so personnel had the tools they needed to be successful.
- provided leadership for the launch of the ambulance transport and enhanced lifesaving services that resulted in quicker response times and improve delivery of emergency medical services;
- participated in the training and creation of the city’s first All Hazards Incident Management Team; and
- was an active member of the San Jacinto Incident Management Team and NFPA Fire Apparatus Committee for a number of years.
Most recently, Fenwick helped guide the department’s response to Hurricane Harvey and other weather-related events.
Fenwick and his wife have two daughters and have been active members of their community.
“Clay has deep roots in both the Sugar Land and Pearland communities, where he touched countless lives and made a difference on a daily basis,” said Boeker. “We have worked closely with other fire agencies, including the Pearland and Houston Fire Departments, and the outpouring of generosity has been nothing short of overwhelming.”