Tyler James Wurzell

Tyler James Wurzell, age 23, of Grants Pass, died Thursday, December 29, 2011 as the result of a motor vehicle accident.

A public viewing will be from 9:00 a.m., to 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 7, 2012 at Hull & Hull Funeral Directors.

A funeral service will begin at 12 noon, Saturday, January 7, 2012 at Parkway Christian Center. Private interment will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park.

Remembrances may be made to the Tyler Wurzell Family Fund, c/o any local branch of Umpqua Bank or to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation at www.firehero.org.

Tyler was born March 29, 1988 in Medford, Oregon to James & Deanna (Criswell) Wurzell. In 2006 he graduated from Grants Pass High School. He first started his career as a part-time reserve with Rural/Metro Fire Department in Grants Pass in December 2006. He became a station resident at Station 2 on Monument Drive and was awarded rookie of the year in 2007. Tyler was hired to a full-time position with the department in February 2010 and was promoted to the rank of Engineer in September 2010, the youngest engineer ever with Rural/Metro Fire Department. In that time period he achieved his Associates degree from Rogue Community College and became a paramedic with the department. Tyler’s other achievements include being Employee of the Month twice and receiving three outstanding performance citations during his career. During this time, he also worked part-time with American Medical Response (AMR).

Tyler was an avid University of Oregon Duck fan. He was an outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and loved his chocolate lab, Bo.

Survivors include his fiance, Faith Hashek Tuttle of Grants Pass, Oregon; his parents, Jim & Deanna Wurzell both of Grants Pass, Oregon; two sisters, Amber Surgeon of Cave Junction, Oregon and Allison Wurzell of Grants Pass, Oregon; and two brothers, Andrew Surgeon of Medford, Oregon and Jake Wurzell of Grants Pass, Oregon.