It is with profound grief we announce the passing of Fire Chief Steven Frank Foote (ret.) on Sunday, December 8, 2024. He was returning from Canada when he suffered a fatal infection.
Steve was one in a million and always brightened this world with his light and his laughter.
He was funny beyond words, talented beyond measure but his true passion was giving to and helping others. No job too big no task too small. Steve was the first on the job and last to leave – and he always brought snacks. His heart was as big as the moon and so many in his orbit were touched by this man’s generous and loving soul.
Steve began honing his leadership skills when he was elected as a write-in candidate for Cottonwood High School student body president in 1978. He had quite a few adventures there (most notably his 7-11 firecracker hijinks). From there he went on to start his own landscaping business. He later joined the South Salt Lake Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter. This volunteer work led his career up the ladder (so to speak) to eventually assuming the role of the youngest Fire Chief in the state of Utah. Thanks to South Salt Lake Mayor Randy Fitts, Steve flourished and was innovative in his approach to managing and expanding the department until his retirement in January 2011.
Steve had a passion for flying – whether it be airplanes or helicopters. He worked toward getting his helicopter pilot’s license and gained many friends in the process.
His next big assignment came when Salt Lake City based Priority Dispatch Corporation offered him a teaching position to travel through North America educating 9-1-1 dispatchers newly innovated and highly technical protocols for sending out fire equipment and personnel to those in need. As well, he recently accepted a position in the company’s Implementation Department. Steve was a public servant to his soul whether in the fire service or in helping in emergency response. He loved his job, and he loved the people he worked with at PDC.
Steve married the love of his life Cindie Jean Foote. They reconnected in a fairy tale romance eight years ago. From that day forward they were planning to spend the rest of their lives together in love, and in retirement traveling the world.
Steven F. Foote was born on June 3, 1960. His mother was the infamous Judy Foote (the widow McCoy) and his father, Wallace J. Foote. As well, Steve had two beautiful sisters Paula Jean Foote and Lori Lynn Foote who he dearly loved, all of whom are deceased. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Cindie Jean Foote, his daughter Megan (Brennan) Lytle, Cindie’s three children J’Amy (Eric) Winters, Ashley (Drayton) Bailey, Jake (Danielle) Poulson and eight grandchildren Maycie, Kayla, Brandon, Zona, David, Eliza, Henry and Arwen.
Lastly, he leaves his biggest cheerleader, his other mom and Auntie, Frankie Ford (Scott Quai and the Quai Family Clan.)
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at the Larkin Sunset Gardens Mortuary, located at 1950 E. 10600 S., Sandy, UT 84092. Family and friends may attend a visitation from 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. The family will hold a private interment service immediately following.
Special thanks to Steve’s best friends, the two other suns in their trifecta solar system, Andrew (Moose) Maurer and Jason Nicholl for their loyalty and friendship. Also special thanks to the South Salt Lake Fire Department, Murray Fire Department and those other departments who have contributed time and effort toward this last special tribute for Steven.
Cindy, I am still in shock hearing about Steve’s passing. He was such a good man. Always had a kind word and a hug for me. I know he loved you so very much. I loved seeing pictures of your adventures with a great deal of envy. He will be missed by so many. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sending thoughts and prayers to Cindie, Megan and families at this very sad time. As we all know, Steve was one in a million.
RIParafise our friend.
Devastated to hear of Steve's passing.
Truly one of the funniest men I have ever known. I don't think if ever seen him as happy as he has been the past few years with his beautiful wife.
The universe will definitely be lacking without his presence ❤️
I don't know where to start; we lost contact after I retired from the police department and Steve retired from Fire. He was a legend and will be missed! I will always remember being stuck in an airplane waiting for Steve in the middle of a tornado. He just had to respond; it would not have been Steve if he hadn't. He did his job and made it to the aircraft with seconds to spare. He was one of a kind, and I will always miss his friendship!
A very good man god bless Steve
I am so sad to hear of this . Steve was one of the nicest men I've ever met . I really admired who he was and how he always treated people with respect. Fun , and funny ... He was , and always will be the chief. This world lost a great human . My heart goes out to his family
Chief was always kind and happy. I am so sorry for your loss.
One of my heroes! We fought fire, handled each others calls, and plowed a heap of snow over the years.
We stayed in touch but not often enough. Steve was a leader, a dispatcher, a snow plow fixer (when I broke mine) and a great friend.
I will miss you, Steve. Some of my fondest memories were with you and the South Salt Lake guys. Rest in Peace, My Friend!!🚒🚒🚒🚒❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
My deepest sympathy. I remember Steve from high school days, a good life gone too soon.
Foote Family,
What a true honor it was to have met Steve. He was a mentor. Even though he lived so far away he continued to mentor me. For the short time I knew him he would contact me in person, on the phone or text me to encourage me to follow him in his steps to become an instructor. His dedication, passion and compassion for what he did was incredible. That’s not the best part, he taught me how to love my family and my wife. He loved talking about all of his loved ones. I am going to miss him, I can’t imagine how you all feel. Please know that I am going to do all I can to become an instructor like he wanted me to do.
Peace,
Andy Petrie
South Bend Fire, Indiana
Too many words describe Steve Foote. The last time I saw him we were giving our final deposition to the Attorney General before we were released into the general public, free and clear. The 7-11 explosions were the inspiration for his career as a firefighter, or his penance. His write-in campaign was legendary. We rallied around him, hoisted him onto lunchroom tables for impromptu speeches, blasted loud music at his entrance and listened in awe at his profound words. He was one of a kind. The only regrets in life are not spending more time with people who are genuine, forge their own way, live life in honest connections unfettered to trends and shallow expectations. Steve Foote is the kind of personality great novels are based on. The kind of person you want to sit with on the porch and laugh with. He will live forever.
I attended Cottonwood High with Steve “the Foote”…..truly one-of-a-kind …you were wanting to be around him and his energy all the time….a great example to live fully!
So very sorry for his family and loved ones. Many prayers and love sent your way.
I am so truly sorry to hear about Steve. Such a wonderful and kind person. I was a good friend of his sister Paula. She loved her little brother so much and I am sure they had a grand reunion. Prayers, hugs and lots of love for your loss at this time🙏🤗❤️
My sincere condolences to Ms Frankie, Cindy and their families.
And Stevens pride and joy-Megan.
We are all blessed to have known Steve.
I am so grateful for all the laughter and even the tears!
Rest in peace my dear
22421463
So sorry to hear of Steve's passing. My heart goes out to the family during this difficult time. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Chief,
You were a class act and working with you over the years made the bond between Police and Fire amazing. So glad you let us use the recliners. Fly high and smile down upon all. ❤️🇺🇸❤️
Wow, this brings it HOME!
Cherish each day! I loved his sense of humor, I loved the morning news, I loved that he slept out for tickets for me and many more to Steve Martin.
I’ve known him for 60 yrs. And it’s been a blessing knowing this wild and crazy guy!
♥️Jan
Heartfelt condolences to Steve's family. Praying to God to give you the strength and peace as you celebrate Steve's life. May his soul rest in eternal bliss!
I am so sorry for your loss, Frankie. My heart hurts for you and your family. Please let your memories of Steve comfort you and be with you throughout time. Sending you love and prayers,
Betty Brown
Steve was a good fiend and a great fire Cheif, I knew him from SSL where my husband worked as a fleet manager. Steve was good to Mont and always had a vision. He always greeted me with a hug and smile, he will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
I have only known Steven Chief for about 5 years he was truly a one in a million guy he was there for me when my son took his own life and I was going to raise my grandson he had a ton of answers for me and so much support I will truly miss this man rest in paradise my brother and friend. Sending prayers and love to his family
One of the finest humans on earth. Godspeed.
Rest in peace my brother, I miss you.
Sky 2
RIP Chief, thanks for all you did for South Salt Lake Fire and the fire service around the state of Utah. I pray that God be with your family and friends at this most difficult time.
RIP Chief, thanks for all you did for South Salt Lake Fire and the fire service around the state of Utah. I pray that God be with your family and friends at this most difficult time.
Oooo Cindie our hearts hurts. We had the privilege of knowing Steve all through high school and the Fire Department where Chris worked with Steve and had many adventures and memories, we also had the honor of Steve marrying Chris and I in a last minute before catching a flight for work, he would drop everything to help anyone first, the lunches at the Lone-star and a few beers. He always supported the Guns and Hoses hockey game and every event possible.. that sense of humor will be forever in our lives.. we absolutely love both of you, Godspeed and ride that shooting star Steve.. see you on the flip side..
Sending you my deepest condolences. I was so shocked and saddened to hear about Steve’s passing today. My thoughts and prayers are will you.
So Sorry,
so many things to say, to many stories to tell. You were in bright spot in all the bad we dealt with. Thank you and God bless, rest in peace brother you will be missed.
Oh Cyndi I am so sorry for your loss I saw the love you both had for each other Praying for your healing
Steve is a wonderful man and a mentor to me for over 24 years. Me being best friends with the Moose, he would take us up snowmobiling into the Uintahs with the rest of the South Salt Lake City fire crew, even before I knew I wanted to be a fireman, he 100% influenced the rest of my life and career. So thank you Chief!
He wrote the most beautiful letter of recommendation for me when I got on the job for Salt Lake City 21 years ago. He will be missed but never forgotten.
Salute🔥💪🏼🚒 🙏🏻
I'm so sorry to hear about Steve. I knew him back in the day. He was very kind and fun! Everyone will miss him and of course his firefighting skills.
RIP Steve.
Our hearts ache for you. At the same time we rejoice for you because the two of you shared a few years joyfully that otherwise would have been lonely. Meat God comfort you as you suffer this great loss.
Dear Foote Family,
You are seeing many accolades about Chief Foote. I add mine to the written list. I know you have and will receive even more in-person comments and stories. My experiences with him were always exceptional as a member of the media. He always took time for me and helped me in many ways as a journalist and as another in his long list of friends.
I don't have the memories of everyday interaction like so many on and off "the job". One Christmas I received a package at my desk at KSL. I couldn't think who would be sending me "something" from South Salt Lake Fire. It was a small gift and one under $25.00 so I could accept it. It was a SSL Fire sweatshirt.
I always remember The Chief and the sweatshirt. It still hangs in my closet in perfect condition. When I look at it I think of him. I am wearing it today as a remembrance of his life and his passing to an even greater place with no fires to fight but other assignments even more important
Thank you,
David Block.
Chief Foote was an amazing individual, he was a great man he had character, integrity and a sense of pride about him, he was a highly trained and skilled professional as well. What an honor to know such a great man. Before my father Paul died, my dad said to me, when I'm dead and gone, you call Chief Foote ok, I didn't get a chance Chief Foote and Bowman knew before I did, and they went out and picked his body up and brought him home, after which, we met for lunch, Chief Foote said I will take care of everything, I had no idea how special that was going to be, and what everything meant, he had the firefighters past and present at the viewing, and the funeral, with the honor guard and the Veterans with flag, he conducted the ceremony at the church and graveyard with full police and firefighters motorcade escort, casket on top of the pump truck, from the church to the graveyard, blocking intersections, sirens and lights blaring, in my mind he honored my father, as he would have his own, and nothing in this world could have meant more to me, he gave my Father a hero's send-off, Chief Foote was a very strong man, when they said the 'last call' over the radio I looked over and watched him as he got choked up and a tear ran down his face, what a honorable man Chief Foote was, so sorry for his family and friends they have suffered a great loss, you're in my prayers, Rest in Peace Chief Foote God Bless you and you’re family!
Robert Crowther and Family
I have fond memories of Steve from my earliest days working in South Salt Lake. He always made time for me, offering advice and guidance that helped me through some of the most challenging times of my career. His sense of humor and exceptional leadership forged one of the strongest public safety partnerships between police and fire in the state. Rest in peace, brother—you leave behind a profound legacy and a community forever changed by your dedication.
Best darn student body president Cottonwood High ever had ! He will be missed.