SAN ANTONIO – He is a hero, not only to his family and fellow firefighters, but to the entire community. That's the message echoed strongly Thursday night at Scott Deem's visitation.
Deem was killed in a fire at a West Side strip mall one week ago.
“Can't say enough about him. He was a hard worker. He had a great testimony. He was just a fun-loving individual and all-around good kid," said Mr. Teplitzky who worked with Deem at Aetna before Deem became a San Antonio firefighter.
“He actually asked me if I would be a reference for him. And I was. And his recruiter called me and we talked for about 10 minutes. I told him I'd want my son to be just like Scott,” Teplitzky said.
It was easy to put in a good word for a great man, father and husband.
Mrs. Teplizky calls Deem and his wife's relationship "real love."
"They weren't ashamed of showing other people how much in love they were. They were just so passionate, not just about their family, but about others around them. And they let you feel that," she said.
Myrtle Gonzales feels that and she's never even met Deem.
"I've been through a disaster where it was in the middle of the night and I had my children with me," Gonzales said.
Brave firefighters like Deem saved Gonzales' family and for that, she said she will be forever grateful.
"Thank you to all the first responders for everything," she said.
First responders from every department from all over the country filled Porter Loring for the visitation. If one thing's for sure, it's that Scott Deem was loved and truly respected.
"I don't know if their motto is to serve and protect like the police, but that's exactly what he did. Served and protected. True hero," Mr. Teplitzky said.
There is plenty of support pouring into San Antonio. At least 175 fire trucks, many from out of town, will lead the procession to the Community Bible Church on Loop 1604 on Friday. That's where the funeral starts at 1 p.m.
The funeral is open to the public, but seating is limited. There will be extremely limited parking at the Community Bible Church for the public. Overflow will be available at Cornerstone Church near Loop 1604 and Stone Oak Parkway. Shuttles will be provided.
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