Former Columbus Fire Chief James Massey passed away Thursday around 9:30 p.m. at his home.
Massey joined the Columbus Fire and Rescue as a firefighter in 1965. He was promoted to chief on Oct. 1, 1990. He retired on Feb. 11, 2005, and was replaced by Chief Kenneth Moore.
Moore said his greatest memory of Massey was his great love for people and his love for the firefighting profession and the men who served with him.
“He was a people person, and he was dedicated to the fire service,” Moore said Friday morning. “He lived it and he breathed it.”
Moore said the department flourished under Massey”s direction, with advances including incorporating confined space rescue and EMS services.
He added that Massey was a huge proponent of training, making sure every man in the department had the opportunity to advance as far as possible.
“He opened up opportunities for people to go almost anywhere,” Moore said. He allowed people to grow and make mistakes. He was always somebody you could talk to if you had a problem.”
A memorial service will be held Saturday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Lowndes Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Sunday at 3 p.m. at Mt. Zion Baptist Church.
The Columbus Fire and Rescue Honor Guard will serve during Massey”s funeral. Further arrangements have not yet been finalized.
Carmen K. Sisson is the former news editor at The Dispatch.
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