McDowell Technical Community College honored the life, legacy, and extraordinary service of the late Steven “Steve” Lytle on Wednesday, November 12th, with the dedication of Room 106 in the William Harold Smith Building as the Steven Lytle Fire Training Room. Lytle, a highly respected McDowell County firefighter, instructor, mentor, and public servant, passed away unexpectedly on February 17, 2025.
Family members, friends, firefighters from across the region, and college faculty and staff gathered to celebrate a man remembered for his courage, integrity, and unwavering commitment to serving others.
“Today, we gather not just to dedicate a room, but to honor a legacy—a life defined by service, courage, and an unwavering commitment to others,” said Stacy Buff, Vice President for Workforce Development at McDowell Tech. “From this day forward, every time a student walks into this classroom, they will be stepping into Steven’s room—a place where his passion for training, his commitment to safety, and his example of selfless leadership will live on.”
A Life of Service and Leadership
Born and raised in McDowell County, Lytle spent more than two decades serving his community through fire and emergency services. He served as Battalion Chief of the Fairview Fire Department and Assistant Chief of the Crooked Creek Volunteer Fire Department, roles that required both exceptional skill and extraordinary heart.
Lytle also served for years as an instructor in the McDowell Fire, Rescue and EMS College, where he specialized in personal protective equipment and took pride in ensuring that every student was trained to go home safely after every call.
“He didn’t just wear the uniform—he lived the calling,” Buff said. “Students always said Steven took time to make sure they understood, that he cared about their success.”
His passion extended beyond the classroom. An avid outdoorsman, Lytle found joy in the mountains he loved, in bear and hog hunting, and in time spent with the friends he considered family. But above all, family—his wife Chantelle, their children and grandchildren, his parents, and his siblings—stood at the center of his life and purpose.
A Legacy That Will Shape Future Firefighters
During the ceremony, McDowell Tech President Dr. J.W. Kelley emphasized the profound importance of honoring Lytle in a way that continues his mission of training and equipping future firefighters.
“When this idea of naming a room and establishing a scholarship was presented, it was an easy ‘yes’ for both the MTCC Foundation Board and the Board of Trustees,” Kelley said. “We had talked just this morning about the public safety crisis in attracting and training first responders. A scholarship like this is vital to addressing that crisis—it allows us to train more firefighters and support the very people Steven cared so deeply about.”
The Steven Lytle Memorial Scholarship, created by his family, will assist students pursuing fire, rescue, and emergency services training at McDowell Tech. Once fully funded, it will become an endowed scholarship, providing financial support in perpetuity for aspiring first responders.
“We are grateful to Steven’s family for sharing so much of themselves so that we can honor his legacy,” Kelley added. “This scholarship will help us continue what Steven devoted his life to—preparing courageous men and women to serve, protect, and lead.”
A Community Hero Remembered
Lytle was deeply respected within the firefighting community for his mentorship, professionalism and his belief that the fire service should always be respected, professional, and focused on protecting others. Those who served with him remember a man who led by example and treated fellow firefighters like family.
His passing leaves a profound void, but his influence—on students, fellow firefighters, and countless others— continues to inspire.
As Buff expressed, “May this room forever remind us of the power of service, the importance of brotherhood, and the legacy of a man who gave his all for his community.”
Help Carry Steven’s Legacy Forward
To honor Steven Lytle’s life of service and ensure that future generations of firefighters can follow in his footsteps, community members are invited to make a gift to the McDowell Tech Foundation:
Steven Lytle Memorial Scholarship
Give online at:
https://mcdowelltech.networkforgood.com/projects/260673-steven-lytle-memorial-scholarship
Your donation—no matter the size—helps support the men and women who will one day serve and protect our communities just as Steven did.
