VIDEO: First responders from throughout the region gathered in Paintsville Monday to join a career public servant in his final ride through Johnson County. Gary McClure died Thursday, ending a more than 40-year career as a devoted first responder. McClure was a founding member and former chief of W.R. Castle Fire and Rescue, serving the department for 44 years.
”He just led so aggressively and just was always determined to push the department forward and lead by example. He was always a hands-on chief,” said Brian Jeffiers, W.R. Castle Fire And Rescue’s Deputy Chief. First responders say he worked with the training crews and state associations to bring in more firefighters and fuel their passion for protecting their people. He later took that desire to protect his community into his day job, taking on the role of Johnson County Emergency Management Director for the last 22 years. ‘During the floods and the snowstorms, no matter what disaster, Gary would never leave,“ said Paintsville Public Safety Director Darrell Preston. ”Once he got there, he would work day in and day out.”
