A man fulfilled his boyhood dream by following in his father’s footsteps to join the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department. In his short time working at the department, the late Tanner Gillespie made an indelible impact on his brothers and sisters in fire service. Tragically, Tanner’s life ended on November 18th, 2023, in an off-duty accident. As family friend Chris Shee and his family were processing their grief, Shee knew he needed to create a way for Tanner’s legacy to continue. He created the Tanner Gillespie Scholarship Endowment, which will provide a tuition scholarship for students entering fire school.
“When my oldest son called me early on a Sunday morning to tell me the news of Tanner’s passing, it was one of the worst calls I’ve ever received.” Shee said. “We were all so proud of and excited for Tanner to pursue his career goal of being a firefighter—something he worked hard to achieve. I wanted to provide a way to honor Tanner for all of his hard work and for being such a wonderful young man. This endowment will provide scholarships in Tanner’s honor in perpetuity.”
The scholarship was funded by four groups, each contributing $25,000 for a total endowment of $100,000: Clays For A Cause, MasterCraft Builder Group, Premier Pools and Outdoor Living, and the Shee Family. Investing in Kids or INK!, an educational charity that serves as the sole support organization for the St. Johns County school district will oversee the endowment. The scholarship will be granted to at least one St. Johns County high school senior each year who wants to pursue fire rescue as a career.
“We are humbled and honored to assist with the administration of the Tanner Gillespie Scholarship Endowment in Tanner’s memory,” says Cathy Newman, Executive Director of Investing in Kids (INK!). “This scholarship endowment is not only a beautiful and enduring way to honor Tanner’s legacy but also a testament to the generosity and kindness of Chris Shee and the Shee Family. The Tanner Gillespie Scholarship Endowment will not only empower local students to pursue a career in firefighting but will invest in kids for years to come.”
High school seniors interested in a firefighting career can apply for the Tanner Gillespie Scholarship Endowment. Additional donations may be made to the endowment. INK! will orchestrate the scholarship and facilitate the selection process with the Gillespie Family.
