LAFRA-
I served the LAFD for 34 years and my interest in becoming a firefighter was first sparked by talking to Mack Mills. I knew him as a kid through my dad, David Jones, in the San Fernando Sailing Club. He used to share experiences and talk with me. Our conversations during sailing club events guided me to joining the fire department.
My sincere condolences to you all!
Neal Jones
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Hi Andy,
In memory of my dear wife, Nina M. Clegg, who spent her life giving to others in need, this last gift, my Relief Association Death Benefit, will be donated to the LAFRA Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. Thanks for the memories over the years, including dinners, dancing and entertainment sponsored by the Relief Assn. The real fun years included the Grass Valley Reunion (Hello and Goodbye – 30 years), Quartzite, AZ, and Mexico trips – all are forever memorable.
Sincerely,
Don Clegg
St George, UT
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LAFRA-
I met Bob [Reed] when I was assigned as a probationary fireman to Truck 64. He was the most experienced truckman on the A shift and he was willing to spend whatever time it took to teach a rookie the various tasks a truckman may be required to perform. Bob was a quiet guy whose skills and abilities also served him well away from the job. He was a very knowledgeable tax consultant and prepared annual tax returns for a number of people including LAFD members. I would see Bob periodically around Thousand Oaks over the years as we went about our daily routine. It was always fun to catch up on each other’s lives. I’ll miss those encounters.
Rest in peace my friend.
Mike Littleton
Westlake Village
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LAFRA-
I met Howard [Garner] when I became a dispatcher with him. What a great gentleman! It was always a pleasure to work with Howard. I would run across him years later when he became an inspector and it was always nice to catch up with him.
RIP my friend! You will be missed!
Sheldon McKowan
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LAFRA-
Captain Durwood Lewis was a true gentleman. He was the chief of the San Fernando Fire Dept and came to the LAFD as a Captain I when we took them over. He was humble, kind, knew his job and took care of his crew. I have many fond memories that I cherish.
Dave Murray
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LAFRA-
I worked with Jim [Toon] his last six months on the job at 60’s, and golfed with him many years after he retired. Great guy at the station and always a pleasure to play with on the course. I remember his last shift when his wife Ann came to the station for dinner with two great apple pies! He and Ann will always be remembered as a wonderful loving couple to be around
RIP Jim
Ray & Stephanie Donckels
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LAFRA-
I first met Ken [Dameron] in 1967. I got out of the service and was delivering milk (milkman) at Giacopizza Dairy in Canoga Park. Ken had worked there as a milkman before he got on the LAFD and came back on his days off to fill in for vacations, He started talking to me about taking the FD test which I eventually did take and passed the written. He then got me to come to 100’s and do practice orals and talk to the Division Chief (Div 3 HQ then). Got on the job a year later. Never worked directly for Ken but ran into him throughout my career in Arson. Lived around the corner from him in Thousand Oaks until we moved.
A wonderful man, a true gentleman, and a lifelong friend. He literally changed my life by taking an interest in me so long ago. I will always be thankful for meeting him. He will be missed, especially those whose lives he touched. RIP my friend.
Your friend,
Terry Depackh
Henderson, Nevada
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LAFRA-
I made captain in 1985 and was assigned to 72’s with a great crew that were outstanding. Chief Dameron was one of the B/C’s at Batt. 17 and he worked a lot of SOD on my shift because my chief was always off IOD. What a pleasure it was to work with him. He was one of the good guys who did a great job as a B/C and knew how to run a fire. His son grew up with my son in-law and was best man at my daughter’s wedding. I believe his son is now a B/C on the job just like his dad.
RIP my friend, we will miss you.
Richard Borowski
Thousand Oaks, CA
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LAFRA-
I can’t begin to tell you how much respect I have for that man [Dean Cathey]. I first met him as a 15 year-old fire explorer at FS 66. He was a Captain II there. Dean played a huge part with me successfully getting hired. He mentored me and made sure I was doing all the right things to be successful. Throughout my career we would cross paths in one way or another and he was always the same. Always making sure I was doing good. He’d joke and always called me son and I’d call him Dad.
I could write all day about how I felt about this man. Although my heart hurts right now I am also remembering some really great times.
RIP Chief
Bubba Willis
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LAFRA-
Please accept this donation in memory of Frank Brown. Frank was a member of OCD for many years. He was there from the transition from the back room to the new floor, a multi-year process. He shared his stories of padlocked refrigerators, candy bars that mysteriously disappeared in the night, and his recipe for trays of afternoon snacks of caramel corn.
Frank was a quiet man who could always be counted on to pull more than his share of the load. When he was on the floor, whether as a call taker or resource controller, you knew not to worry. Additionally, Frank had some unique physical skills while playing handball. He was once asked how he could hit an overhand fist ball from backcourt and have it roll out the front right corner. His reply was simply, “I don’t know, I just can!”
His retirement dinner speeches where legendary with the audiences prompting him on with a resounding, “Fraaank Brooown.” All of the members of OCD were better from knowing him.
Robert L. Kilpatrick