The Dillingham Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad held a ceremonial processional for one its own Wednesday. Jim McMurray, who was a volunteer with the Department for nearly four decades, succumbed to a battle with cancer Tuesday. He was 70.
McMurray came to Dillingham in the seventies as a pilot, flying first for a lodge then for Armstrong Air. He built his career around aviation and had an impeccable reputation as a pilot and aircraft mechanic. But on Wednesday dozens gathered to pay tribute to his 39 years of service as a volunteer firefighter and EMT.
He was truly an unsung hero, says DVFD chief Norman Heyano.
"He is. Whether it was for the fire department or EMS, cause he was an EMT, he always helped somebody. He never turned nobody down, and was very knowledgeable on the fire side of it. We're really going to miss him."