Brown, 53, served the fire department for 23 years. He had been performing normal duties that day including checking fire extinguishers and practicing aircraft rescue, said Chief Charles McGee. Brown's fellow firefighters found him stricken at the station and called for an ALS from Klamath County Fire District #1. He was pronounced dead at the station.
McGee said this is the first line-of-duty death in the department's history, from 1956 to the present, and it came as a shock to all of the members.
"Larry was well-liked by everyone," McGee said. "He was one of those people, whether you were with the fire department or the community, he probably did something to help you out somewhere along the way."
Two days before he died, Brown went to the home of a retired member to move his refrigerator for him so that he wouldn't get hurt. "That was just the kind of guy he was," the chief said.
Brown is survived by his wife of 33 years, Barbara, their two sons ages 30 and 28, three grandchildren, and numerous siblings.
"He loved his sons to death, that was his life, those kids," the chief said. He said Brown also loved elk and deer hunting, camping, and said he was a religious man. "He believed everyone needed to have integrity, be trustworthy, and do the right thing," McGee said.
Brown was named department Firefighter of the Year in 1987 and was promoted to Captain in 1990.
Services were held Wednesday, February 26 at the First Christian Church in Klamath Falls. The service included a military honor guard, because Brown was a Navy veteran, a fire department honor guard, and a 21-gun salute by the Army National Guard.
The Kingsley Field Fire Department is located in Klamath Falls, Oregon, and is comprised of 24 career firefighters. They perform aircraft rescue, structural firefighting, hazmat and EMS. Their primary responsibility is the airport at the Kingsley Field Air National Guard, and they respond as mutual aid to the surrounding communities.
A memorial fund has been established in Brown's memory. Contributions will be split between the Make A Wish Foundation and the Klamath First Christian Church. Contributions may be made at any bank, to the Larry A. Brown Memorial Fund, account number 253653189790.
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