Jaye Dennis Deitz

Jaye Dennis Deitz, 83, passed away peacefully at his home in Elberta, Alabama, on February 2, 2026.

He was born on June 26, 1942, in South Charleston, West Virginia, to Jennings Dennis Deitz and Madeline (Pritt) Deitz, both of whom preceded him in death.

Jaye was an exceptional athlete in his youth, earning national attention as a highly recruited high school basketball player and a two-time all-state selection. He led South Charleston High School to the West Virginia State AAA Championship during his junior year. Despite receiving dozens of scholarship offers from across the country, Jaye chose to remain close to home and committed to play basketball at West Virginia University under legendary coach Fred Schaus.

Following his playing career, Jaye returned to the Charleston area, where he owned several businesses and devoted himself to public service. He served as a firefighter for the City of South Charleston and with the 130th West Virginia Air National Guard.

In 1973, Jaye and his family relocated to the Republic of Panama, where he began a distinguished career with the Canal Zone Fire Department. Through dedication and leadership, he rose through the ranks and ultimately served as Fire Chief from 1983 to 1995. In this role, he oversaw all fire service and emergency medical operations throughout the Panama Canal Zone, including residential areas, canal locks, U.S. military installations, and shipboard fires on transiting vessels.

During his tenure as Fire Chief, Jaye played a critical role during a period of historic transition for the Panama Canal. He authored key elements of the 1979 Panama Canal Treaty related to the orderly transfer of fire protection responsibilities from the United States to Panama. He was widely regarded as the resident expert on hazardous cargo transits, shipboard firefighting, and maritime emergencies. Under his leadership, the department purchased and installed a state-of-the-art foam firefighting system to protect the canal locks, an essential safeguard for one of the world’s most vital waterways. He also led all fire operations throughout the canal area during the 1989 U.S. invasion of Panama and provided steady leadership under extraordinary circumstances. In preparation for the canal’s eventual transfer, Jaye supervised comprehensive training programs to enhance the skills and professionalism of Panamanian bomberos, ensuring a capable and seamless transition of fire services.

Away from work, Jaye fully embraced life in Panama. He was an avid fisherman and was often selected to host visiting dignitaries on fishing expeditions in Gatun Lake, owing equally to his hospitality and skill as an angler. A gifted multi-sport athlete throughout his life, he was a standout player in the Pacific Coast Softball League for many years, known for his powerful bat and deft defensive skill at first base. Jaye also dedicated countless hours to coaching youth basketball and baseball teams in Gamboa and Balboa throughout his sons’ formative years and generously passed along his athletic knowledge, discipline, and love of sport to area youth. He deeply enjoyed exploring the Panamanian interior and frequently traveled with family and friends to the Pacific beaches and the mountainous Volcán region. He loved country music and found great joy in playing guitar, and he was known for his dry sense of humor and gift for storytelling, always able to captivate a room with a well-timed remark or a story told just right.

In 2002, Jaye and Nikki made their home in Elberta, Alabama. Orthodox through marriage, he became an active member of St. Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church in Gulf Shores. Jaye was a devoted parishioner and a driving force in securing sponsors for the church’s annual golf tournament fundraiser, contributing significantly to its continued success.

Jaye is survived by his beloved wife, Nikki L. (Rigas) Deitz; his sons, George Deitz and his wife Kristine Wagner of Trussville, Alabama, and Alexander Deitz and his wife Sangeeta Mahadevan of Great Neck, New York; his sister, Linda (Deitz) Good of Winfield, West Virginia; his sister-in-law, Toni (Rigas) Loucas of Chester, West Virginia; five grandchildren, Luke Deitz and his wife Rachel, Mark Deitz, Koren Deitz, Surabhi Deitz, and Maya Deitz; and one great-grandson, Jesse Deitz. He was preceded in death by his sister, Joyce (Deitz) Schoolcraft.

Jaye will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, a respected leader and mentor, and a man whose integrity, courage, humor, faith, love of WVU sports, and lifelong commitment to service left a lasting mark on all who knew him.

Funeral Mass will be held at St. Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church, 220 E 20th Ave, Gulf Shores, AL. on, Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 11:00am. The family will receive friends one hour prior.

Interment will follow in Lay Cemetery, 24695 Miflin Rd. Elberta, AL. 36530.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that all memorial gifts in honor of Jaye be sent to: St. Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church, PO Box 3668, Gulf Shores, AL. 36542