Doyle Standridge was Lexington's fire chief from 1950 until he retired in 1972.
LEXINGTON, Oklahoma -
The small town of Lexington is remembering a long-time fire
chief.
Doyle Standridge was Lexington's fire chief from 1950 until
he retired in 1972. Standridge bought the town's first new fire truck in
1965. That truck is still in service, partly because Standridge took such
good care of it.
He not only was fire chief, he also operated an auto repair
shop in town. After he retired Standridge worked for Oklahoma's
Department of Corrections. He taught prison inmates how to be auto
mechanics.
"Numerous times I have heard stories that inmates came
back and reported to him after they were released," said his grandson Kevin
Standridge. "And it was because of him they were able to get a job and make
something of theirself."
Doyle Standridge was 80 years old. He leaves behind
his wife of 58 years, three children, and six grandchildren. He will be
buried at Hilltop Cemetery in Purcell on Saturday.