A state firefighter who died battling the largest wildfire recorded in California’s modern history was remembered Saturday as a devoted family man who didn’t hesitate to do his job, no matter the danger.
‘When Cory decided he wanted something, he got it. When there was a job to be done, he did it and 10 more,’ Ashley Iverson told mourners inside Rock Church in San Diego.
Governor Jerry Brown joined family, friends and colleagues honoring Cory Iverson.
A container with Iverson’s ashes stood on the flower-decorated speakers’ platform and Iverson’s smudged firefighter’s coat was displayed during the service.
A bagpiper played Amazing Grace.
Cory Iverson (far right) was a state firefighter who died battling the largest wildfire recorded in California’s modern history
He is seen in the above photo with his wife, Ashley, and their two-year-old daughter Evie
‘When Cory decided he wanted something, he got it. When there was a job to be done, he did it and 10 more,’ Ashley Iverson told mourners inside Rock Church in San Diego on Saturday
Ashley Iverson praised her late husband as a ‘superhero.’ ‘He provided me with the greatest gift of all: love,’ she said
‘He was the greatest father to his Munchkin, and the most devoted man I know,’ Ashley Iverson said of her late husband
Ashley Iverson and daughter Evie are escorted by Cal Fire at the celebration of the life of Cory Iverson who was killed battling the Thomas Fire
He was remembered Saturday as a devoted family man who didn’t hesitate to do his job, no matter the danger
Thousands of firefighters and family members gathered to celebrate Iverson’s life at Rock Church in San Diego on Saturday
The 32-year-old Cal Fire engineer died of burns and smoke inhalation on December 14 while tackling the Thomas Fire that burned more than 700 homes in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties
The Thomas Fire that began on December 4 was fueled by ferocious winds that drove it through neighborhoods, foothills and into national forest land
The 32-year-old Cal Fire engineer died of burns and smoke inhalation on December 14 while tackling the Thomas Fire that burned more than 700 homes in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.
Details of what led to his death haven’t been released.
Iverson, an Escondido resident who was with a San Diego-based strike team, left a 2-year-old daughter, Evie, and wife Ashley Iverson is expecting their second child.
She praised her husband as a ‘superhero.’
Before she began her remarks, she invited the audience to take a deep breath with her as she was overcome with emotion.
‘”Just breathe” is what I told one of my best friends when she lost her soulmate at the age of 22 seven years ago,’ Ashley Iverson said at the start of her remarks.
‘Will you join me in taking a breath?’
‘He provided me with the greatest gift of all: love,’ she said.
‘He was the greatest father to his Munchkin, and the most devoted man I know.’
A motorcycle-led procession is seen outside the Rock Church in San Diego on Saturday for the memorial in honor of Cory Iverson
A retired California firefighter wears a badge outfitted with a special black band in honor of Cory Iverson on Saturday
A California firefighter gives a salute during the procession outside of Rock Church in San Diego on Saturday
Ashley Iverson and her two-year-old daughter Evie are escorted into the church by fire and other municipal officials
A GoFundMe campaign has raised nearly $600,000 in less than a week to help the family pay bills after losing Cory Iverson
Firefighters from outside San Diego County covered for their brethren so that Cory Iverson’s comrades could attend the special memorial on Saturday
Fire officials said the blaze was no longer an imminent threat to homes but was burning in remote, rugged wilderness. A Los Angeles County fire official is seen on the right embracing an unidentified mourner outside Rock Church in San Diego on Saturday
Ashley Iverson thanked the community for its outpouring of support after her husband died.
‘Wow is all I can say and feel today and over this past week and two days,’ she said. “The overwhelming amount of love I have felt is otherworldly.
‘It is something I never before felt worthy of and will simply never be able to repay.’
The fire is blamed for the deaths of Iverson and that of a 70-year-old Santa Paula woman who was killed in a car crash on an evacuation route.
The Thomas Fire that began on December 4 was fueled by ferocious winds that drove it through neighborhoods, foothills and into national forest land.
As of Saturday it had blackened 273,400 acres (427 square miles).
More than 2,500 firefighters were still tackling the fire, which was 65 percent contained.
Fire officials said the blaze was no longer an imminent threat to homes but was burning in remote, rugged wilderness.
‘Let there be no doubt to anybody in this room that Cory Iverson died a hero,’ Tony Mecham, the chief of Cal Fire San Diego, told mourners.
‘Cory Iverson lost his life for one very simple reason: He put others first.’
Mecham said that other fire departments volunteered to cover for Cal Fire personnel throughout San Diego County so that Iverson’s colleagues could attend the service.
An Orange County fire official carries a wreath to the memorial for Cory Iverson at Rock Church in San Diego on Saturday
‘Let there be no doubt to anybody in this room that Cory Iverson died a hero,’ Tony Mecham, the chief of Cal Fire San Diego, told mourners
‘Cory Iverson lost his life for one very simple reason: He put others first,’ Mecham said on Saturday
Firefighters escort loved ones to the memorial service for Cory Iverson at Rock Church in San Diego on Saturday
After learning of Cory Iverson’s death, California Governor Jerry Brown ordered flags at the state capitol flown at half-staff
‘Cory was ours,’ Mecham said. ‘All of ours. And that’s why we’re here.’
Mecham’s remarks were reported by KSWB-TV.
After learning of Cory Iverson’s death, Governor Brown ordered flags at the state capitol flown at half-staff.
‘His bravery and years of committed service to the people of California will never be forgotten,’ the governor said.
Cecily Bauchmann, a close friend of Ashley Iverson, launched a GoFundMe page that allows the public to donate money to help the bereaved family with mortgage payments and other expenses.
‘This is still so very new but please contribute as you feel led,’ Bauchmann wrote.
‘Their oldest is almost 3 and they will be due in May with their newest baby. I will update here as needed. Thank you all for blessing the Iverson family.’
As of Saturday evening, the crowdfunding campaign has raised nearly $600,000 in less than a week – well on its way to the goal of $1million.
Last Sunday, thousands of bystanders lined up along a 200-mile route from Ventura to San Diego county for the funeral procession.
The procession traveled south on the 101 Freeway through Ventura, Los Angeles and Orange counties, arriving at El Camino Memorial Park in San Diego County, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Iverson, 32, was with a five-engine strike team from San Diego when he was killed attempting to quell the third largest blaze California has ever seen.
According to state officials, the fire currently covers 267,500 acres – an area larger than New York City.