FAIRBANK - The number of mourners at Jim Richards' funeral Thursday likely broke the church's fire code.
But given the number of firefighters in attendance, it seemed those who gathered were in good hands.
"God's going to take care of us," said a representative from the State
Fire Marshal's office, Jeff Quigle, from the back of Immaculate
Conception Catholic Church in Fairbank.
The firefighters were there to pay respects to one of their own.
Richards, Oran's assistant fire chief, died Monday while fighting a
field fire west of his hometown. Officials believe he died of a heart
attack while operating the pumper truck, which supplied water to fight
the blaze. He was 49.
The pews and folding chairs at his
memorial were filled to capacity. Young people from Wapsie Valley High
School, classmates of Richards' children, Jessica and Joshua, sat in
silent support.
Firefighters from across the state in matching polo shirts, uniforms
and blazers stood, lining church walls. More friends and family were
tucked in corners and clustered in doorways.
The people who came were the most important part of Richards' life, said family member Jim Wade.
"Jim has always put his family and community on top," Wade said,
reading a message from Richards' wife, Jean. "He loved his fellow
firemen and first responders ... I never remember him turning anyone
down."
Richards was an active member of the fire
department for 30 years, serving as assistant chief since 1985. He
operated Richards Repair Service in Oran for almost 30 years.
The Rev. Ken Stecher said Richards was a model and image of goodness.
"He ended his life in service to others," he said.
At the end of the ceremony, Richards' family was presented with his
fireman's gear. Oran firefighters, carrying their colleague's
equipment, then led the body out of the church. The coat, helmet, pants
and boots were later displayed at the burial site.
Solemn thoughts but good memories spilled from attendees as they filtered out of the church.
"He was everybody's friend," said Delores Matthias, a family friend from Frederika.
"He was always willing to go ahead and help," her husband, Elmer, added.
The procession to the cemetery was led by an Oran fire truck, which
carried Richards' body. Fire trucks from the Fairbank, Readlyn,
Westgate, Sumner and Oelwein departments followed.
The Grundy County Fire Association honor guard performed a special
ceremony at the burial. Following tradition, a bell was struck in four
sets of five to commemorate a firefighter who has died in the line of
duty.
The last chime reverberated.
Roger Carr, a member of the Grundy County honor guard, spoke of this firefighter who answered his final call.
"James Richards ... has completed his assignment and returned home."
RICK CHASE / Courier Staff Photographer The casket of firefighter Jim Richards was carried by an Oran fire truck Thursday in Fairbank. Other fire and rescue vehicles from Northeast Iowa followed in the procession from Immaculate Conception Catholic Church to the cemetery.
ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE U.S. FIRE ADMINISTRATION
http://www.usfa.fema.gov
| Richards, James | |
|---|---|
| Age: | 49 |
| Cause of Death: | Stress/Exertion |
| Rank: | Assistant Fire Chief |
| Nature of Death: | Heart Attack |
| Status: | Volunteer |
| Emergency Duty: | Yes |
| Incident Date: | 10/21/2003 |
| Duty Type: | Fireground Operations |
| Incident Time: | 16:00 |
| Activity Type: | Water Supply |
| Death Date: | 10/21/2003 |
| Fixed Prop. Use: | Outdoor Property |
| Fire Dept. Info: | Oran Fire Department 5054 Main Street Oran , Iowa 50664 Chief: Larry Wedemier |
| Initial Summary: | Assistant Fire Chief Richards succumbed to a heart attack while fighting a grass fire in rural Bremer County. |
| Memorial Fund Info: | Donations can be sent to the Oran Fire Department, 5054 Main Street, Oran, IA 50664. |