Murphy – Nearly 100 people – including family, friends, current and former town council members, Town Manager Chad Simons, Mayor Tim Radford, fire personnel and visitors – came to the Murphy Fire Department to honor local firefighters on Sept.16.
The meeting room wasn’t quite large enough to accommodate the group, so the special event was held inside the larger bay overlooking two of the department’s impressive fire trucks. Firefighters were dressed in uniform, showing respect for those who preceded them.
Radford opened the ceremony, followed by a prayer from pastor Aud Brown of Little Brasstown Baptist Church. With lots of hard work, dedication and research, the event came together to honor 27 retired – including some deceased – members of the Murphy Fire Department who have given 20 years or more in service to the community.
Chief Al Lovingood thanked several other folks who worked tirelessly along with him to gather names, information and photos of the retired firefighters to be honored. A slideshow offered a glimpse into the longstanding service of the firefighters, as well as a brief look at how the department has changed over the years.
A portion of a wall in the department was covered, keeping secret the surprise that would be unveiled later in the ceremony. Firefighters were told beforehand not to peek under the cover at the “Wall of Honor” prior to the event.
Once unveiled, the wall naming each of the retired, including deceased firefighters, chiefs, captains and lieutenants was transformed into a visual memory that will never be forgotten. A loving tribute to those members for all their years of service to the community.
Those adorning the wall by last year served are:
Bob White, 1970; Jim Ed Hughes, 1973; John Bayless, 1976; Boyd Davis, 1976; Fred Derreberry, 1976; Charlie Johnson, 1976; Edwin Cook, 1977; Lloyd Ramsey, 1977; Harry Dickey, 1978; Ed Dickey, 1979; Red Schuyler, 1983; Joe Fowler, 1984; Willard Allen, 1985; Neal Enloe, 1987; Leon
Gee, 1993; Larry Hughes, 1999; Winston Craig, 1999; Mark Thigpen, 2006; Doug Vuick, 2010; Don Coleman, 2015; WC King, 2016; Doug King, 2016; Carlton Fowler, 2017; Joe Phillips, 2018; Jay Rayfield, 2018; Steve Baumgartner, 2021; and Brian McLeod, 2023.
The combined service of the 27 retired honorees totals 726 years. In their honor, an old rusty 1943 Chevrolet truck used in the earlier days of the department will be refurbished and painted for use in parades and other special events.
“I want to thank the Murphy fire personnel for all they do and the sacrifices their families endure while they’re serving,” Lovingood said. He also thanked assistant chief Phil Bowman for the design of the tribute and assembling all of its components, saying, “It was not an easy task.”
The “Wall of Honor” was funded without taxpayer monies but from the estate of Troy and Myrtle Fleming. There was no documentation or historical accounts showing the couple as being affiliated with the Murphy Fire Department; they simply loved Murphy.