Town Of Lexington Honors Passing Of Former Fire Chief

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.