Warren Harper, the City of Lenoir’s first African American firefighter, died at the age of 76 over the weekend.
City officials broke the sad news Thursday and extended condolences to Harper’s family. They confirmed Harper, who retired in 1999 after 30 years of service to the community, died on Saturday, Nov. 14.
Fire Department Chief Ken Hair, who was an engineer when Harper was still with the department, worked with the former firefighter for the last seven years of his career with the city.
“On behalf of the City of Lenoir Fire Department, we would like to extend our sincere condolences for the family of Warren Harper,” Chief Hair said. “We will truly miss Mr. Harper, who was affectionately known as ‘High Pockets’ because he was a mountain of a man. In his day, he was one of the best firefighters this department had ever seen."