Firefighters mourn the loss of Chief ‘Pappy’ Whittington

Vicksburg and Warren County Firefighters are morning the loss of long time Bovina Fire Chief Ken Whittington Saturday after a lengthy illness. He was 77.

Whittington was retired from International Paper and had worked for the Warren County Parks and Recreation Department as well. He was instrumental in advancing emergency medical and fire services to the eastern part of the county.

“Today the Warren County Fire Service mourns the loss of one of our own. Bovina Fire Chief Ken ‘Pappy’ Whittington died this morning,” said Warren County Fire Coordinator Jerry Briggs. “Chief Whittington has served the Bovina community over 30 years. Please keep his wife, children, family and members of the Bovina Fire Department in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”

Longtime colleague retired Eagle Lake Chief Earl Wallace also remembered Whittington.

“He has been a good friend and Chief of Bovina since it began,” he said.

“Ken Whittington (lovingly known as Pappy to Warren County Fire Service) was a founding member of the Bovina Volunteer Fire Department and had a sincere passion to serve his community,” said Whittington’s successor, Chief Chris Kennedy. “He served as fire chief for over 30 years. He has inspired and displayed to so many the value of a volunteer firefighter. One day I hope to achieve the level of respect that so many have for him. He will be greatly missed by myself, our department and our community.”

Chief “Pappy,” your friends at the Vicksburg Daily News salute you and thank you for your years of service to our community.

Arrangements for Chief Whittington are incomplete at this time.