Captain– Fire Station 85
Deceased:
12/05/2021
Appointed:
01/28/1957
Pensioned:
02/031985 – FS85
Services:
PRIVATE
Donations:
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, PLEASE SEND DONATIONS TO:
Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter’s Fund
PO BOX 41903
Los Angeles, CA 90041
Gerry was a stand-up guy…and a great asset to the LAFD. I remember a specific time when he called out a particular captain at our station for doing an incredible low-life thing to one of the troops. It was seldom done that way on the job…because “management” always covered for each other. Gerry did the right thing other times too…even when it was hard to do. Obviously, I really admired the man. God has a special place waiting for this man. This will be a huge loss for my old pardo Tony. “Ed” Sandell Somis, Ca
Thank you for your wonderful comments…my dad was the best. We miss him so very, very much. He his in the best place now watching over us….
My condolences to Marilyn and the Babcock family. Gerry was my Drill Master, I was his A/O but most importantly my friend for forty three years. I’m sure many accolades will follow my comments but to me he was simply “The Best”.
Rest in peace Red. Thanks for putting up with me.
There was never a dull day when you worked at 9’s on the “A” shift. Gerry was loved by his crew and the people around him. The Annual Skid Row tournament had Gerry winning the epic “Miracle on
7th street” match. R.I.P. and thank you for your service.
I was sadden of hearing of Capts. passing. My condolences to the Babcock family. I had the honor and pleasure to have driven Capt. while station at 9’s in the early 1980’s. He was a tremendous leader and motivator of his people and cared deeply for them. Our time spent on the “court” was “priceless”, I hate to admit it but, Red wound up with the “porcelain.” Rest In Peace
Gerry Babcock was my brother in law so I grew. up around him being with our family even before he married my sister , I found out early that he was a man to have on your team, Gerry was a good husband a good father and a good friend to all,we will miss his great smile,his quick wit and great sense of humor ,His fire department career was one you could write a book about.We love you Bud
Captain Babcock was my Drill Master of the Class of January 29, 1978, DT 40 “B” Platoon. He was a hard-nosed, no-nonsense drill instructor who NEVER forgot his responsibility to the LAFD in producing competent men who rode the tailboard with a basic level of skill sets that would ensure the safety of other members assigned to a Truck or Engine Company He never played the “political football” of satisfying affirmative action goals or balanced ethnic representation of entry level firefighters at the expense of producing qualified rookies assigned to the field. No matter how intense the pressure from the tenth floor to pass a non-qualified firefighter because of their ethnic background, Cap NEVER caved into the pressure. He took the job as serious as a heart attack.
More importantly, Capt. Babcock was a committed born-believer in Jesus Christ. (Jn. 3:3). My wife Janice and I had the privilege of attending Cap’s 87th Birthday celebration. I also had the honor of leading those in attendance in a prayer on Cap’s behalf and also presented Cap with a Study Bible. Cap is now and for eternity worshipping Christ in heaven (avoiding God’s wrath/hell) not based on his own human merit while here on earth. Conversely, it is ONLY because of his FAITH in the all-sufficient, substitutionary sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the cross, 2000 years ago, ALONE. This is not, “Goodbye Cap.” Rather it is, “See you ‘later!! “ (Jn. 3:16; 1 Thess. 4:16)
Thank you for your wonderful comments…my dad was the best. We miss him so very, very much. He his in the best place now watching over us….
Mike Mitchell was our BC and recruited Gerry to come to FS 9 in the 80s be our leader, our teacher and mentor. He also became our friend that everyone looked up to. We had the greatest camaraderie I ever saw on the job and off, because of Gerry. He developed character in everyone and brought humor to the station. We worked hard and played hard, maybe harder. You wanted to do your best when you worked with Gerry..
Condolences to Marilyn and the family, Gerry was one of a kind, a shining star.
Sorry to hear the passing of Captain Babcock. My condolences to the family. The best story I can tell is when I was on Squad 4 is when I first met Captor’s. Babcock. He like to play handball and liked to turn the tables in his favor. So one day a challenge was thrown down. Two out of three for home made apple pies for the winners station. Well since 9’s district was one of the Squad’s area we drove over there and the stands where full. Pots and pans in hand and everyone watching. It came down to the last game and was about to collect on the wager when a long ring came in. Course Captain Babcock use this to turn the tide in his favor. As he shouted going out the door. ” Long ring cancels”. Needless to say he used some other methods to win the third game when we got back. After that he would never challenge me again. Said he already won and didn’t need to prove it again…RIP
I was saddened to read that Captain Babcock passed. He was my Captain at Fire Station 63 when I was a young Firefighter. The story that comes to mind is a huge lumber yard fire with a propane filling station. When we arrived the propane tank was already being impacted by the fire and the relief valve was already whistling (meaning the propane was boiling) with potential of a boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion. Captain Babcock pulled the whole Truck Company together before we sprang into action and lights a cigarette then says “everybody slow down and keep your heads out of your asses, and stay away from the ends of the tank. We need to cool this thing down before it blows up. Now go to work”! Cool, calm and collected under fire. May he Rest In Peace!
Sounds just like my daddy…thank you for sharing.