Local firefighters as well as others from across the state paid their respects to fallen Eastland firefighter, Gregory Mack Simmons. Vehicles and personnel from Brownwood Fire Department along with Bangs, Winchell and Early Volunteer Fire Departments represented Brown County in paying tribute to the volunteer firefighter who gave his life last week.
The funeral was held at 1 pm on Wednesday, April 20th at the Leon River Cowboy Church, located on Interstate 20 East in Olden, Texas. The burial took place at the Oaklawn Cemetery in Gorman.
The funeral was also streamed live on Bigcountryhomepage.com, allowing those who could not personally attend the remembrance of the fallen firefighter.
Simmons was killed on Friday while fighting a large grass fire near Gorman in Eastland County. Initial reports said Simmons was working with four other firemen when they were trapped by the swirling blaze. However, preliminary autopsy results revealed the cause of death was blunt force trauma consistent with a traffic accident. The investigation is under the direction of the Department of Public Safety.
Eastland City Hall closed at noon to allow employees to attend the funeral and Eastland ISD students were released early from school.
Pictured below is the funeral procession. Photos courtesy BigCountryHomePage.com.
