Chief Jackie Russell Mayfield

Jackie was born in McKinney, Texas on February 22, 1945, to Paul and Myrtle Mayfield. As the fourth child in the family, Jackie spent his early youth playing in the country fields of Collin County, often pretending to be Roy Rogers roping horses. An early interest in reading was sparked when his mother encouraged him to learn how to read before she would buy him a comic book. This led to a lifelong interest in words, spelling, reading, and writing. In high school, he was known for carrying a thesaurus in his back pocket.

Jackie enjoyed attending school, where he could read and spend time with friends each day. He developed a love for sports, particularly baseball. In high school, he was a 3-sport letterman and served as the captain of the football team. Of all the accolades that Jackie earned in high school, he was most proud of being awarded the Scholarship-Athletic Award, given to a senior student athlete for achievement both on the field and in the classroom. He graduated from Plano High School in 1963, serving as class president and fire chief of the school.

In 1964, Jackie was offered a position as a fireman in Richardson, Texas. At nineteen, he became the youngest fireman in the department and was elected president of his recruit class. His career was interrupted by the Viet Nam conflict in September 1965, when he was drafted into the U.S. Army. After his discharge in 1967, he rejoined the Richardson Fire Department and advanced to Assistant Fire Chief/Training Officer.

Jackie earned an associate degree in Applied Science in Fire Protection from El Centro College in 1972 and later taught classes in the same program. In 1974, he became the first firefighter in Texas to earn the Master Instructor Certificate issued by the State of Texas Commission on Fire Protection Personnel Standards and Education. He also held a Master Firefighter certification. In 1978, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree studying Fire Protection Technology from Dallas Baptist College.

Chief Mayfield worked for forty-two years in the fire fighting and fire protection field. He served as the Fire Chief in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, leading a team of 140 multinational firefighters for the Arabian American Oil Company (ARAMCO). He then served as the City of Coppell’s first full-time, paid fire chief, and later led the Sherman Fire Department and the Cedar Hill Fire Department until his retirement in 2003. After retirement, he served as Fire Officer Coordinator at the TEEX Emergency Services Training Institute.

Chief Mayfield was considered a specialist in residential fire protection and a leader in fire training and technology in North Texas. He played a key role in implementing new fire protection technology and served on various professional boards and organizations such as the Texas Fire Chiefs Association, the Texas Society of Fire Service Instructors, and served as the President of the International Association of Fire Chiefs. As a member of the Texas Municipal League, Chief Mayfield testified in front of the State of Texas Senate. He also volunteered as a guest instructor at the world re-known Texas A&M Fire Training School for twenty-seven years, training firefighters from all over the United States and the world.

During his leadership, his departments provided aid during major incidents like the Delta Airlines Flight 191 crash, the communication tower collapse in Cedar Hill, and the national tragedy of 9/11. When asked why he chose to be a fireman, he replied that it was a job he could be proud of. Chief Mayfield’s career spanned two continents, four decades, and numerous emergency responses.

Outside of his firefighting career, Jackie married Pat Rush on August 2, 1965, and they had three children: Steven Russell, Dean Ray, and Misty Ann. The family lived in Murphy, Texas, before moving to Saudi Arabia.

Jackie had varied interests including sports, history, languages, religions, and cultures. He enjoyed collecting sports memorabilia, hunting, fishing, and various hobbies over the years. After retiring to Lake Fork, he and Pat enjoyed fishing, and regular trips to the casinos.

Jackie loved loving people. From his large Mayfield family, to marrying into the Saigling family, he loved the connection of family. Family was not limited to blood or marriage. His Plano High School classmates of 1963 are family, often said they were more like cousins! His graduating class was a size of 60 people, 30 of those started 1st grade together. They held a very special place in his heart.

Jackie was a member of the First Baptist Church of Plano and a 32nd Degree Freemason. He received his 50-year pin from the Cedar Hill Lodge in 2020. He was also a 50-year member of the Scottish Rite and Hella Shriner.

Jackie is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Pat, children Steven Russell Mayfield (Beverley) of Jacksonville, Arkansas, Dean Ray Mayfield (Kristi) of League City, Texas, and Misty Ann Mayfield Ranschaert (Mark) of Celina, Texas, and grandchildren Nicholas Dean Mayfield, Zachary Steven Mayfield Sanders, Savannah Susan Mayfield, Tabitha Ann Mayfield, and Rockefeller Charles Ranschaert.

He is also remembered by many nephews, nieces, and extended family members. Jackie has been all over this big world, but Plano is home.

Jackie's life was marked by significant contributions to his profession, community, and family. In honor of Chief Mayfield's lifelong contributions the family asks that you would consider making a donation to the Scottish Rite for Children, the Alba Volunteer Fire Department (108 Broadway St., Alba, TX 75410), or the Weston Volunteer Fire & Rescue (203 Main St., Weston, TX 75097).