According to Assistant Fire Chief Harold Rogers, the department responded to three structure fire calls Monday. As Chief Rogers was returning to the fire station from the scene of the last call around 5:30 p.m. the rescue truck he was driving went off the road.
A volunteer firefighter following the chief in another rescue truck discovered the accident and verified that he had collapsed and died at the scene. The exact cause of death is still undetermined.
Rogers started out as a volunteer firefighter with the department in May 1974. He became fire chief in August 1981 and served as chief of the department for 23 years.
Visitation will be Wednesday, December 15 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the J. Mellie NeSmith Funeral Home, 513 W. Main St. in Claxton.
There will be a full procession of fire department vehicles down Main St. Thursday towards the corner of Main and Church St. The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. with full fire department honors at the Claxton First United Methodist Church, Main St. The burial will take place at the Brewton Cemetery.
Rogers is survived by his wife, Patsy Brewton Rogers, one daughter-in-law and one son-in-law, Shelly and Jay Brinkley, two brothers, Michael Rogers and Dr. Dennis Rogers, one sister, Wanda Rogers, one grandson, Seth Brinkley, and several nieces and nephews.
