James E. Schexnayder III

Jefferson Parish Fire Department District Chief James E. Schexnayder III passed away on May 27, 2023 after his battle with service-related cancer.

Schexnayder was born and raised in the rural town of Loranger, Louisiana. Having grown up on over 100 acres of pasture and dairy land, he learned how to milk cows, plant fields, and harvest hay at a young age. The third of six children, Schexnayder often worked with his family on the farm, but also spent quality time with them on fishing trips in Grand Isle each summer, playing sports, and attending gospel revivals held on their farmland. Schexnayder loved playing football in his youth,and was fearless on the field despite being the smallest player. He developed a passion for coaching in high school and even coached while attending school, and later developed a passion coaching his four children’s baseball and softball teams. Schexnayder and his wife, Charlotte, knew each other from living in the same town, however, they did not reconnect and begin their relationship until later in life. They met through Charlotte’s cousin, Darran, when they were teenagers, as he and Schexnayder attended school together. Charlotte and Schexnayder developed a friendship and as they grew older, they saw each other a few times a year and spent a while catching up each time. Charlotte married her high school sweetheart, Ben, who unfortunately passed away after a three year battle with cancer. In her grief, Charlotte’s prayers were answered when Schexnayder pulled into her driveway after her husband had passed.

Schexnayder was introduced to the brotherhood of the fire department at the age of 20 by his mentor, District Chief Ronnie Tassin. Armed with the passion to serve and a fearless spirit, Schexnayder began his career as a first responder. He enjoyed serving not only the community, but the fire department itself. He took rookies under his wing and taught them as much as he possibly could, and later loved watching them develop in their careers and in their personal lives equipped with the knowledge Schexnayder had shared. His goal in joining the fire department was to make a difference in someone’s life everyday, and for God to take him wherever he was needed. During his illustrious career, Schexnayder was a founding member of the JPFD Urban Search and Rescue Team after Hurricane Katrina, and became a Louisiana State University Fire Instructor. He also earned the Armericanism Award for Outstanding Service. In May of 2020, Schexnayder was diagnosed with a rare lymphoma and underwent chemotherapy and 30 rounds of radiation. He entered remission in August of 2020, however, in February of 2023, the cancer returned, this time more aggressive. Schexnayder sadly lost his battle three months later.

Charlotte and her children currently reside in the home she and her husband built together in 2015. She enjoys spending time with her children, maintaining her farm, reading her bible, and supporting her children’s softball and baseball teams. Additionally, Charlotte is heavily involved in her church, serving with the children’s ministry and chaperoning the youth group on their yearly trip to Atlanta, Georgia. In the future, she is excited to continue to watch her children grow into the Godly men and women they were created to be. Receiving support from Tunnel to Towers is allowing Charlotte to focus her full attention on her children and making sure they feel supported. Their beloved home will be the one constant without change for their family. Finally, she would like others to know that her husband loved God, his family, and his Fire family unconditionally. Schexnayder carried a torch of light faithfully; his legacy lives on through his family, who will carry the torch in his honor.

Jefferson Parish Fire Department District Chief James E. Schexnayder III is survived by his loving wife, Charlotte, his children, Dawson, Luke, Chloe and Bayleigh, and his best friends, JPFD Captain Danny McCormick and Battalion Chief State Fire Marshal Chad Kuchler.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has paid off the mortgage of the Schexnayder family home through the Fallen First Responder Home Program.