A 66-year-old assistant chief with the Loris Fire Department suffered a stroke after a brush fire and died three days later, according to the U.S. Fire Adminstration.
Rodney Hardee responded to the fire on the evening of July 6 and complained of having a headache upon returning. He left the station, returned home and the next morning his wife noticed he was seriously ill. He had missed another call that morning, an indication that something was wrong with his health.
Hardee’s wife contacted 911 for a possible stroke and he was transported to Grand Strand Hospital in Myrtle Beach were surgery was performed that day, according to USFA.
Hardee succumbed to CVA injury and died at about 2 a.m. on July 9.
According to a local publication, myhorrynews.com, Hardee had been a volunteer firefighter for 40 years and assistant chief for 20. He was also the city of Loris’ public works director and had worked for the city for 41 years.
He was buried in the Oak Dale Cemetery on July 12, following a service with military and Masonic rites. He left behind a wife, two grown sons and five grandchildren.
