In Memoriam Chad Hyde, Oklahoma City FD The Final Fire Alarm sounded for Oklahoma City firefighter Chad Hyde on April 1. He was 32. Just two weeks after his birthday, Chad died after crashing his motorcycle at an on ramp to Interstate 35 in Moore. He loved his family -- wife Brittany and two small childen, Emery and Everett, and he served the community of Oklahoma City with distinction. A post by OCFD said, “We were honored by his dedication to the job and humbled by his passion to serve. Our prayers are with the entire Hyde family.”
R.B. Ellis, Tulsa FD The Final Fire Alarm sounded for Tulsa firefighter R.B. Ellis on Feb. 24. He was 60. R.B. joined the Tulsa Fire Department in 1989 and spent most of his career at Station 4. He was committed to his roles on the Tulsa FD, USAR Task Force 1, serving as longtime president of Tulsa Metro FOOLs and training with Tech Resq. A post by OSFA said, “We are very grateful for his service to our state fire school, and there are numerous reviews of his class from students that express the same sentiment.”
Jake Riner, Tulsa FD The Final Fire Alarm sounded for Tulsa firefighter Jake Riner on Jan. 30. He was 35. Jake’s career path included several stops, all under the heading of service to others. He received his fire and emergency medical services certificate from Tulsa Community College, then served as an EMT for EMSA and as a firefighter with Bartlesville Fire and then Tulsa Fire. He was deeply loyal, led from the back without stepping on those ahead, the heart of the fire station, and the instigator of shenanigans. He was admired for being a “Jake of all trades” knowing something about everything and creating meals for his family or the firehouse.
Lonnie Bolar, Waynoka FD The Final Fire Alarm sounded for Waynoka Fire Chief Lonnie Bolar on Jan. 29. He was 45. Lonnie became a member of the Waynoka Fire Department on Jan. 23, 2006. He had a passion for fighting fires, and he thoroughly enjoyed attending fire trainings. In addition to serving as the Waynoka fire chief, Lonnie was also foreman for Woods County District 3, owner of Scoob’s Tavern, weekend heavy equipment operator for Frontier Rodeo and Luddington Cattle. He passed away while heroically trying to save the lives of others.
Tayler Bradford, Waynoka FD The Final Fire Alarm sounded for Waynoka firefighter Tayler Bradford on Jan. 29. He was 28. Tayler always had a love for all sports but track was a favorite. He attended state track meets all four years of high school and was proud to hold the school record for long jump and being tied for high jump. Later in life Tayler had many hobbies including jeeping, racing and being an aquarist. He tragically left this world while heroically doing what he loved.
Jacob Pack, Wetumka FD The Final Fire Alarm sounded for Wetumka firefighter Jacob Pack on Jan. 20. He was 40. Jacob spent 16 years with the Wetumka Volunteer Fire Department and also worked with Enable Gas Company. A post by Wetumka FD said, “You were a brother, always the life of any party, making joke and seeing the light in any situation! You were a tremendous asset to the department and the2021Oklahoma community! You will be forever missed! 30 May/June/July Firefighter
Chalk Norton, Shawnee FD The Final Fire Alarm sounded for retired Shawnee firefighter Chalk Norton on Jan. 17. He was 71. Chalk was a firefighter with the Shawnee Fire Department from 1973-2007, rising to the rank of Battalion Chief. He was the Legislative Director of the Professional Fire Fighters of Oklahoma from 1977-2020. He was instrumental in passing the Fire and Police Arbitration Act in 1994, enhancing the livelihoods of career firefighters and police officers across Oklahoma.
Ricky Straub, Granite FD The Final Fire Alarm sounded for Granite Assistant Fire Chief Ricky Straub on Jan. 5. He was 59. Ricky went to school and graduated from Hobart High School Class of 1979. He attended Western Oklahoma State College in Altus for a few semesters. Ricky volunteered and was the assistant fire chief at Granite FD for a number of years. He retired after 29 years of service from Kiowa County as a heavy equipment operator. He was a talker and never met a stranger. Ricky especially loved spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Larry Moore, Katie FD The Final Fire Alarm sounded for Katie firefighter Larry Moore on Jan. 1. He was 64. Larry grew up West of Pauls Valley and attended White Bead Schools. He loved farming and worked as a farm hand all of his life. Living and being a part of a farming community, he served as a volunteer fireman for the Katie Volunteer FD for the past 14 years. Throughout his life he enjoyed hunting and fishing and spending time with his family and friends.
Andy Davis, Oklahoma City FD The Final Fire Alarm sounded for Oklahoma City firefighter Andy Davis on Dec. 24. He was 45. Andy was a 20-year veteran with OKCFD and was with Fire Station 10-C near downtown. He was the son of retired Capt. Johnny Davis, brother of Deputy Chief Tony Davis and Maj. Scott Davis and uncle of Cpl. A.J. Davis. Andy loved the job and serving the residents of Oklahoma City. His jovial approach to life endeared him to all who knew him, and his work ethic was an example of excellence. Andy loved watching his kids play sports.
Melvin Whitten, Okeene FD The Final Fire Alarm sounded for retired Okeene firefighter Melvin Whitten on Dec. 24. He was 81. In 1971, Melvin started work at the Sooner Co-op, and he became a farmstore manager at the Co-op before retiring in 1999 after 27 years. He was a part of the Okeene Volunteer FD for 18 years. He was a kind man with a heart of gold, and it only took talking to him once to see that. He never knew a stranger, and his love for his family was endless. No matter where he was, no matter who he was with, he always had a smile, and greeted everyone as if they were a friend.
Frank Van Buskirk, Ringling FD The Final Fire Alarm sounded for Ringling firefighter Frank Van Buskirk on Dec. 17. He was 47. Frank worked alongside his family in their ranching and fertilizer business. He was also a member of the Ringling Volunteer FD for more than 10 years. He learned to rope from his dad, Lyndal, and loved to compete, he passed that love and knowledge on to his son. Frank excelled at youth and high school rodeo.
