Silver City Volunteer Firefighter Laid To Rest

By Dan Bewley, The News On 6

MANNFORD, OK -- A Silver City volunteer firefighter was laid to rest Wednesday.

John Adams, 45, collapsed and died while fighting a 600-acre wildfire near Mannford late last week.

Investigators are still looking for the person who started the fire.

"Basically we're just trying to put that aside and eventually that person will deal with it," Adams' brother-in-law Brett Whitten said. "If he's not caught, he'll deal with it on his own terms. But there's no anger."

Dozens of volunteer firefighters paid tribute to Adams at First Baptist Church in Mannford.

Adams was remembered as a man who loved his wife and three children and someone deeply dedicated to serving as a volunteer firefighter.

"He showed a good example," said Capt. Michael Dunbar of the Freedom Hill Fire Department. "He was always on the scenes and taking care of his neighbors and his friends. That's what being a volunteer firefighter is all about is taking care of your neighbors."

Adams died from cardiac arrest, the No. 1 killer of firefighters. Another example, his friends say, of the stress these men and women face with their lives on the line.

"You're focused on getting the fire taken care of and saving people's lives and property," Dunbar said. "You forget about taking care of your own self."

Adams' served on Silver City's board of directors, and he volunteered alongside his wife and son.

His relatives say he was a great family man whose life touched everyone.

"He loved what he did," Whitten said. "He loved fighting fires. He'll be remembered as a wonderful man."

Investigators say in addition to an arson charge, the person responsible could also face a charge of involuntary manslaughter.

The family has asked anyone wishing to extend condolences to donate to the Silver City Fire Department:

5550 S. 433^rd W. Ave.

Jennings, OK 74038

02/21/2009  Related Story: Volunteer Firefighter Dies Near Mannford