Memorials
February 13, 1933 – December 16, 2001
Chief Golding was a retired US Air Force Colonel and a veteran of the Vietnam War.
He joined the Jollyville Volunteer Fire Department in 1979. During his tenure as a member of the Fire Department, he served as Captain, Training Officer, Fire Marshall and Chief. He first became Chief in 1987, a post he held until his death.
Chief Golding had been one of the most active members of the department and was one of the first Emergency Medical Technician certified members of the department.
Chief Golding’s commitment kept several response vehicles on the road in the early days of the department and today the front-line fleet of the Jollyville Fire Department is a direct reflection of his commitment to serve the members of the community. Several of the vehicles were exactly specified by the Chief, and when the manufacturers told him “that’s not possible”, he showed them how to do it.
October 24, 1947 – December 27, 2001
Chris Hanger joined the Jollyville Fire Department after wondering to himself which fire department actually protected his house. Upon finding out that the department was volunteer, he not only joined; he excelled.
Chris passed on his gift for service by teaching emergency medical classes to literally hundreds of cadets and future EMS professionals. Chris’ positive outlook and professional attitude left an indelible mark not only on Central Texas EMS, but EMS on the national level.
Spending his entire life in service to others was the only way that Chris knew. He served as a Lieutenant in the United States Army, then as a member of the Harris County District Attorney’s Office and again as a member of the State Attorney General’s Office. Chris also served as Assistant General Counsel for Govenor Mark White.
Chris spent the last 13 years of his life helping others in the first person. He resigned from his post with the State of Texas and became a paramedic. Working with Williamson County EMS and still volunteering with Jollyville, Chris saved untold numbers of lives and helped above and beyond the call of duty; all day, everyday.
Chris’ keen sense of humor and extreme knowledge and intelligence will be missed. Chris provided us with genuine kindness, humility and a gentle guidance. The Jollyville Fire Department thanks Chris for his years of service, his courage, and above all, his remaining spirit.
June 1, 1954 – July 24, 2019
It is with a heavy heart that the Jollyville Fire Department informs of the passing of Scott Johnson. Scott had been an integral part of JVFD since 1989, serving the department with honor for 30 years. Scott started as a volunteer and worked his way up to the rank of Shift Captain, and held the office of Fire Inspector for the last years of his career. Scott was a force to be reckoned with, with a hard, bristly exterior, and a heart of gold inside. Scott will be missed terribly by all those who had the pleasure to have known and worked with him.
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May 20, 1986 – August 16, 2021
Dylan’s Obituary
Dylan Brooks Rodiek was born May 20, 1986, to two loving parents in Houston, Texas. The youngest of two brothers, he was a devout social butterfly, immensely charming (and loud) presence, and friend from the beginning.
In high school, he excelled in football and power lifting, drums, and worked during the summer as a camp counselor.
At Texas State University, he bolstered his immense rolodex with more lifelong friends and earned a degree. He also fell in love with the river while accompanied by his legendary chocolate Labrador.
He worked for years as a high school football coach, rising to the title of defensive coordinator. He brought an early morning whistle tooting energy to every practice and was an anchor to countless young lives. Notably, he implemented a modern, intense off-season training course to improve the fitness of his athletes, and introduced multiple coaching staffs to new techniques for reviewing film and planning for games. In true coaching spirit, he gave 100% every day.
Dylan exclusively pursued things with his fullest intensity and at least one friend (usually more). He became obsessed with barbecue, and partnered with one of his best friends from college to embark upon life’s great cook. They took every smoke very seriously, whether it was preparing a brisket for a friend, a catering request, neighborhood pop-up, or one year, every dentist’s office in the Austin area.
In 2020, Dylan decided to switch careers and become a firefighter. He worked diligently to earn his EMT certification and graduated from the fire academy in his mid-30s, holding his own and often exceeding much younger cadets in his class. Even there, Dylan’s true character was evident, as his home soon became the study hall and training camp for his peers who looked to him as a companion, friend, and leader.
Dylan joined the Jollyville fire department in March 2021. He would gleefully call on his way home from his shift to discuss training, new hoses, hose pressure, driving techniques, or the folks he was able to help in emergencies. It was thrilling to hear him tell the story of fighting his first fire – for him, it was a huge deal.
Dylan met Morgane in 2012 and was clearly obsessed with her and her daughter, Zoe. Morgane complemented Dylan’s personality and made him whole. She helped sand away the rough edges, bring thoughtfulness and (some) patience to his outlook, but preserved and loved his endearing qualities. They were married in 2013 at a beautiful and outstanding celebration, and in 2014 their second daughter, Claire joined the ensemble.
Dylan adored his family, and would regularly boast of their accomplishments, like Morgane earning her masters, Zoe acing every academic challenge put before her, or Claire naming every animal in her book. He spoke of them constantly, their stories, their failures, and made them central to his story.
For years, Dylan joined our father’s Guys Golf Weekend, a sacred event involving golf courses of questionable to solid quality, and golfers of questionable to average skill. There was barbecue, camaraderie, beer, and warm weather. Dylan fit right in among men in their sixties, friends his age, green cadets, or the moody teenagers he coached. He was an essential member of any group. He was an outstanding son and companion to my father.
Alongside my mom, Dylan proved an excellent foil. Less because they were opposites, but more because they were identical in mannerism, stature, and a penchant for delivering the well-timed comment. He ribbed her and acted as karmic retribution for how she antagonized her father.
Dylan was my lifelong best friend, the small talk on the other end when I needed it, and the person to whom I texted every stupid thought in my head. In many ways his opposite, Dylan always worked hard to include me, showing patience and grace, even when he shouldn’t have had to do so.
His early passage is a tragedy for the countless people he cared for, befriended, and protected to the best of his abilities. Dylan Brooks Rodiek was someone who brought joy merely by his presence, and cemented with his words and action.
His memory will be cherished by his mother and father, wife, two daughters, brother, family, and friends. Rest In Peace.
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Last Call – January 22, 2022
Maxwell was the station therapy dog who was there for all of us during many a bad time….his loss will be felt always.
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Last Call – July 7, 1998
Chance will be sorely missed by all. He was highly trained in public relations and brought smiles and laughter to hundreds of neighborhood children.