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Tim
Fire Fighter - Father - Friend! - Passed away December 30, 2007 -
Tim's Story, Family Photos
Photos by Mary Ellen "Angel Scribe"
angelscribe@msn.com 
South Lane County Fire and Rescue Fire Fighter
Tim, March 2006  Tim receiving his Fire Helmet
 Friends in Blue
 Family
Daughters and Dogs  Nature Photographer
 April 2006, Tim helping at a weekly drill,
'How to work with injured football players.'  Tim's niece and nephew,
are also volunteer Fire Fighters
Friends & Family Starting
Tim's Handicap accessible room.
  Work began on a foggy, frigid morning. November 3rd, 20 volunteers from Tim's church, friends, family, and the fire dept. assembled to build the room, as others raked leaves, cut wood, and put gravel down the pathway.
With Tim's advancing condition, the crew worked through the day, to accomplish as much as possible, in the shortest time.
Their coffee breaks were nonexistent, as they tossed a bag of homemade cookies back and forth between, sawing, hammering and carrying wood.
Firefighter November 2007 October 30th, was one of the best days Tim, and his family, have experienced since his diagnoses of Lou Gehrigs (ALS) disease, one year ago. Shelley, his wife of 14 years, and their daughters, Rebecca, 10, and Alisha, 8, were thrilled that Tim was going to be honored by the Fire Department, he so loved. They are proud of their hero and fire fighter.
Tim, a 10 year volunteer, with South Lane County Fire and Rescue, (SLCFR) helped at structure and wildland fires, and was involved in many rescues. As a Lane County Public works employee, his skills made him in demand, for driving the Fire Department's tenders, medics and engines to emergencies.
Tim and Shelley taught the children's ministry, at Cottage Grove Faith Center. Tim's been off work, since January 2007. This is one of the roughest ways to spend time at home.
Now, instead of helping others, he is unable to lift a hammer. He sits inside his home, as volunteers come to his aid. One of their projects, is building a handicap accessible room.
SLCFR wanted to honor Tim for his contribution to the Fire District and community, so they organized a presentation for Tim and his family, as recognition for his service. Volunteers from Creswell, and Cottage Grove, miss Tim, as he no longer able to attend drill, so they used a regularly scheduled meeting, to honor Tim. They drove a procession of South Lane County Fire and Rescue emergency vehicles, from the fire station, to his home. As they approached Tim's home, the fire apparatus put on their brightly colored emergency lights, and the slow procession, in the dark night was a kaleidoscope of colors. Tim, sitting in an electric wheel chair, outside, in front of a warm bon fire, was surrounded by his family, and friends. They wanted to be part of Tim's tribute. Volunteer President, Mike Cook, presented Tim with a hand made quilt, autographed by Fire Department members. Lt. Leroy McManus, presented Tim his Fire Helmet. Tim said, "I miss going to calls, and the cameraderie with my friends. Tuesday night was fun, it was great seeing every one. My family enjoyed seeing the fire apparatus lit up, and hearing their horns and sirens.
I encourage others, to become volunteer fire fighters."
Tim adds, "Thank you to all the people, who have helped; the Church and Lane County Public Works, their special project crew, for their work days, doing yard work, and cutting and stacking firewood. Also, to my Church, they are both a blessing and great cooks. Bringing us meals for a year, has touched us deeply. And, thank you to those who sent donations, towards the building fund, and those constructing the room.
My family and I are forever grateful."
Tim has his fire helmet, and his boots sit idly by, at the fire station, boots that are going to be hard to fill. His extraordinary skills are missed.
Register Guard runs Tim's Story Angels & Miracles
Global Prayer Team
Prayer Team Leader Cynthia:
cynthiamorse@mindspring.com You may only be one person to the world, but you may also be the world to one person. ~ Anonymous ~ "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead |
