John Willoughby
reporter2@greenepublishing.com
Those who knew Raymond Pinkard knew he took care of those under his wing. That was the atmosphere that his firefighters worked under his 30 plus years of leadership with the Madison Fire Department.
Recently, family, friends and the community of firefighters mourned the loss of longtime Madison Fire Department (MFD) Fire Chief Raymond Pinkard, who passed away on Thursday, Sept. 17, at the age of 91.
Born in 1929, Pinkard was just one of many generations to come up in Madison County after the Pinkard family settled in Madison County in the 1800s. During his high school years, Pinkard convinced his mother and father to let him join the Army in 1947. He later trained in North Alabama before being stationed in Texas; San Francisco, Calif.; and Japan, where he spent two tours of duty.
As his son, Jerry, recalls, Pinkard was hired first as a city employee in the water department, before putting on the badge as a Madison police officer and patrolling the streets while maintaining his city position. "Back in those days, there was not many of them," Jerry laughed.
In June of 1961, Fire Chief Jesse Hughey handed the chief badge to Pinkard where he served in such capacity until retiring with his late wife, Evelyn, in 1995. Archie Strickland, who now drives in the transportation department for the Madison County School District, recalls working under Pinkard's leadership.
"He was a great friend to all of us and he had our backs," said Strickland, who knew Pinkard from his first year as a professional firefighter in 1978. "Raymond and Mrs. Evelyn – they made sure we were well taken care of." Strickland laughed, mentioning Pinkard's ability to cook, adding "That's the reason a lot of firemen from back then look the way we do."
Strickland recalled that Pinkard was also responsible for upgrading the fleet to a more modern fleet of fire trucks during his time. Others say Pinkard was integral in organizing the volunteer departments around the county as well. Current MFD Fire Chief Bruce Jordan, who began volunteering as a fireman in 1993, under Pinkard's leadership, also said Pinkard was responsible for buying the department's first set of Jaws of Life equipment.
"He was always so glad of what he did," said Jerry Pinkard. "He was always so blessed with his work."
Pinkard and his surviving family were escorted to Oak Ridge Cemetery No. 2 by MFD on Friday, Sept. 18, where he was laid to rest. Beggs Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.