November 2011

The holidays are here so we know everyone is busy. Please remember the reason for the season and be kind and helpful to those less fortunate.

MEMBER REPORT:
In the past two weeks retired Captain Rick Richetson had a PET Scan and was told he is
completely cancer free.
Robert Schench, retired, reported at the luncheon that his wife is very ill and not doing well. Our prayers go out to Robert and his family at this time.
Dorothy Taylor, wife of our oldest living retired firefighter Ressie Taylor passed away on Nov. 4, 2011. Ressie and Dorothy were married 68 years.
Retired Lt. “Bobby” Harper, brother of Bill Harper passed away Nov. 10, 2011.

Our prayers go out to all of these families at this time.

On a happier note, Retired Lt. Stan Crosby and his wife Barbara celebrated their 50th wedding
anniversary on October 27. They celebrated with a family cruise to New England and Nova
Scotia.

EVENTS:

Redknights will be riding in the Christmas Parade in Macclenny on 3th If you would like to see a nice nostalgic country parade this is the one to see. The parade starts at 6pm on US 90 in Downtown.
Retired Firefighters monthly breakfast on Thursday, December 8 at the Piccadilly. There is a surprise in store for all that attend.
The Redknights Christmas Party will be held at the Treadwell’s house on December 9. The Executive Chef from Epping Forest will be catering. Linda will once again have the house decorated for the holidays and all is expected to have a good time.
Officers of our Local 122 will be sponsoring a Christmas Party at the Union Hall on
Tuesday, December 20, 2011. The party will begin at 10:00 and will go until 2:00.

On January 10, 2012 the Jacksonville Firefighters Death Benefit Fund will hold elections for the year 2012. All retired and active duty positions are up for election. This annual meeting is
scheduled for 6pm. There will be a light meal provided by the Jacksonville Retired Firefighters, please RSVP to 757-0188 or 783-9837.

The Annual Fishing Tournament will be held March 12 thru March 16, 2012. John Wood, Fishing Tournament Manager will be holding a luncheon January 18, 2012 at (Fake It Camp) Jim White’s cabin in the Ocala National Forest for the purpose of choosing a site for the tournament.

John Wood and Frank Matthews has located an old girl scouts camp in Clay county on Black Creek. This camp was purchased by the county and they are in the process of restoring the cabins and the lodge. There are a few negatives with the site that will have to be worked out.

The pictures of the 2011 Retired Firefighters Annual Luncheon are on the JAXRFA website under the photo gallery. A really big thanks to Ronnie Learn, Rockin’ Ron. Ronnie surely did not
Disappoint this year. An excellent job and a good time was had by 339 retiree’s.

If you are interested in joining the Retired Employees of the Consolidated City of Jacksonville, contact Kathy Looney, Office Manager. Phone number 904-854-0777. Dues are $.75 per payday. They publish a newsletter every two months called “Real Scoop”.

A point of interest the hits on our webpage for this association hit 9,794 as of this newsletter.

Over the Thanksgiving Holidays your Association sent four $100.00 gift cards from Publix to members that are sick.

Your Association will be giving gift baskets for Christmas. If you know of a member that is sick notify Wayne Doolittle, 228-9795 or Linda Treadwell, 210-6799.

The Officers of JAXRFA wish all it’s members and their families a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

 

PROFILE December 2011:  Robert Otis Tarkington, Engineer Ladder 18

Robert Otis Tarkington, born October 1, 1953 in Jacksonville to Otis Jr. and Betty Tarkington. Robert has two older brothers, Dennis and Billy. He also has two half brothers, Neal ( deceased) and Brian.

Robert married Linda Gail in 1987. Linda Gail worked and retired from JFRD in 2008. Together they have a
combined family of 4 children and 4 grandchildren.

Robert graduated from Ribault High School in 1971. During his high school years Robert ran JV track but then began working with his father in his contracting business.

After graduating from Ribault Robert joined the Air National Guard from which he retired as a Tech Sergeant in 1993. Robert was also a firefighter in the guard.

Robert was a firefighter at Jacksonville International Airport from 1976 until 1981.

Robert credits Jim Porter (retired and deceased) for his becoming a firefighter. Robert says that Jim was his neighbor as a young man and was very encouraging. Robert was hired on JFRD in 1981 and assigned to Station 18. Robert’s first officer was Captain Mike George (retired) and Robert Wyse was the District Chief. Robert has been assigned to Station 18 the majority of his career, with the exception of going to Station 34 for 1 year and Station 48 for 2 shifts. Robert asked to be transferred back to Sta. 18 after working 2 shifts at Sta. 48 and only going on 2 calls. He said he was bored and they didn’t have cable TV. Robert will be retiring from Sta. 18 on January 6, 2012.

Robert has been a member of the Honor Guard for many years. When he joined Howard Davidson was the
Commander and soon after Mike George resumed that role.

Robert has also been very active with the Retired Firefighters Luncheon since the early days. His wife Linda Gail has been active with the luncheon since 1982.

Robert certainly knows his way around the kitchen. He has been the Chief cook for the Firefighter’s Widow’s
Luncheon since it began 7 years ago.

Among many honors that Robert has achieved in his career are being two time recipient of the Eddie Cowart
Firefighter of the Year Award. Robert first won the award in 1992 after talking a man into laying down a shotgun and surrendering. Robert won the award again in 2000 after rescuing a man that was trapped in a hole.

Robert’ hobbies include motorcycling and fishing.

Robert and Linda Gail have bucket list that they intend to start working on as soon as he retires. Included on this list is an Alaskan Cruise and a trip to Pearl Harbor.

When asked how he planned to stay busy when he retired Robert sited a story he apparently has told his children. He is going to do whatever he wishes for a while. He stated that if he get bored he is going to apply for the job of driving the train for kids in Orange Park Mall. Good Luck with that.