A 27-year-old war veteran and volunteer fire fighter who survived four tours of duty and received a Purple Heart for his military service was killed Thursday afternoon when his truck overturned while responding to a fire on Wilson Mountain Road in Morgan County.

Jantzen Frazier, of Hartselle, was pronounced dead due to head trauma at the scene of the accident that occurred at 2:38 p.m. He was a member of the Oden Ridge volunteer fire Department.

Morgan County Coroner Jeff Chunn said he believes Frazier died instantly, though his body has been sent to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for an autopsy.

Morgan County Deputy Sheriff Robert Halbrooks, who said Frazier will be greatly missed, is preparing a video tribute for his funeral.

“Although I did not know Jantzen Frazier personally, by all accounts of those who did, he was a loving family man, a decorated soldier and just a splendid young man,” Halbrooks said. “His many contributions to his country and community will be greatly missed. May God Bless Jantzen.”

Visitation for Mr. Frazier will be Tuesday, Oct. 22 from 5-9 p.m. at Peck Funeral Home. His funeral will be Wednesday, Oct. 23, at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist in Hartselle. The burial will be at Johnson Chapel Cemetery.

The Hartselle Enquirer reported Jantzen served with the U.S. Army 127th Aviation Support Battalion in Baghdad, Iraq. He is the son of Murrell and Debbie Frazier, of Hartselle. He retired as an Army sergeant and served as an Army ranger and long-range sniper. He was recognized in 2012 by Boy Scout Troop 77.

The Times Digital Editor Trent Moore and Sports Editor Rob Ketcham contributed to this report.

Lauren Estes can be reached at laurene@cullmantimes.com or 256-734-2131, ext. 137.