This photo of Sam Stacks was taken when he was named the first-ever fire marshal for Burnet County Emergency Services District No. 9. He later became fire chief of Spicewood Fire Rescue. He had 24 years’ experience as a firefighter when he died unexpectedly in September 2022. Staff photo
The late Sam Stacks was posthumously voted a 2023 Locals Love Us Favorite First Responder by The Picayune Magazine readers and KBEY 103.9 FM Radio Picayune listeners. Stacks was working full time as captain of Marble Falls Fire Rescue and part time as chief of Spicewood Fire Rescue when he died unexpectedly on Sept. 22, 2022, at a Williamson County hospital. He was 49 years old.
“His leadership and all the stuff he was involved in with the community was probably the reason he was selected,” said Marble Falls Fire Rescue Chief Russell Sander. “I think it’s a great honor he was selected like this. He definitely had a huge impact on citizens. He is surely missed.”
A 1991 graduate of Marble Falls High School, Stacks enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving for more than three years on the USS Jason. He found his passion as a firefighter when he returned home to the Highland Lakes. His first firefighting job was in Horseshoe Bay.
He joined Marble Falls Fire Rescue in 2005, where he ultimately became captain. He was named fire marshal of Burnet County Emergency Services District No. 9 in 2019 and chief of Spicewood Fire Rescue in June 2021.
“Everyone at Spicewood Fire Rescue is shocked and saddened by the sudden and tragic loss of Chief Stacks,” Karen Bruett, commissioner and vice president of ESD No. 9, said at the time of his death. “His presence and leadership will be missed in Spicewood and in Marble Falls. He was a wonderful human being and a dedicated public servant. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this very difficult time.”
Stacks was known for his love of family and community and his sense of humor. Friends remember him as a master of the barbecue and a mentor and teacher to those in the emergency services community.
“He was a great public servant within the emergency response world,” said Burnet County Judge James Oakley. “He was a friendly, familiar face that you could always rely on in our area. He always had a helping hand.”
Stacks was honored with a procession of comrades in service when his body was transported from Baylor Scott & White Medical Center-Round Rock to Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home in Marble Falls. He was met there by a National Honor Guard, which conducted a flag-folding ceremony and a last-duty call.
In the November 2021 issue of The Picayune Magazine, Stacks was part of a story about veterans who had gone on to become first responders after being discharged.
“I’ve always just been a person who enjoys serving others,” he said in the article.
“Sam was a valuable leader in the department and dedicated to serving his community,” Sander said at the time of Stacks' death. “Most importantly, he was a friend. His passing leaves a huge hole in our family. He will be missed, but we will never forget him.”
Flip through the digital 2023 Locals Love Us magazine for a full list of winners.
suzanne@thepicayune.com
