Saturday afternoon, it was cool and rainy outside Lyndon Fire Department. Inside, however, it was warmer as chili cooked on the stove and firefighters swapped warm memories of a fallen friend.
"He just had these jowls, whenever he would talk to you, they'd get to shaking if he was mad," said Maj. Jeremy Leffler with a smile.
"Chief was a great man," Sgt. Jeff Landers added. "He knew his job. But most of all, he looked out for all of his employees."
75-year-old Fire Chief James S. Baker passed away from natural causes Friday night. Even though he retired back in 2008, those who know him say the loss can't be overstated, because of his impact on the department, which has since merged with St. Matthews.