Michael Joseph Weddington

Michael was born August 30, 1945 in Shelby, OH to Dorsey and Dorthy Weddington. During his youth, Michael’s family moved to Lexington, KY where he excelled at football and became a classically trained pianist.

In 1966, Michael joined the Air Force and was deployed to Vietnam. He served as a Dog Handler and was stationed at Da Nang Air Base until he was released from active duty as a sergeant in 1969.

In 1975, Michael was hired by CDF’s Riverside Ranger Unit and was quickly promoted to Fire Captain at Station 19 in Highgrove, CA. He served as captain from 1975 to 1995 and also became an instructor at the CDF Training Unit. Mike was Plans Chief for the Northridge Earthquake and Plans Chief for several large forest fires throughout the region. Mike was promoted to Battalion Chief from 1995 to 2000 in Dispatch and South Opts.

Mike received a degree in Psychology from Cal State San Bernardino. After his retirement from CDF, he continued to teach Fire Science at Crafton Hills College and Riverside City College. He also set up numerous classes at Fire Stations throughout California. Mike’s “Forte” was TEACHING. He believed “Education” saves lives!!

Michael is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Dianne; his children, Michael; Ashlee and her husband, Steve; his stepchildren, Charmin, Tammi, Bill, and Brian; his guardian daughter, Ryllie; his brother, Gary; his grandchildren, Brittany, Rachel, Sierra, Bella, Sophia, Brady and Jack; his great-grandchildren Alyssa and Wyatt.

Michael was a loving husband, father and grandparent. Mike was an educator and mentor to countless young men and women in the Fire Service. He loved our Lord Jesus and slept at night listening to Christian music.

Mike was a character who had character. Although Mike is gone, he is loved and will be sorely missed.

Services at Riverside National Cemetery and Celebration of Life are pending.