By BILL CURTIS
The community of local firefighters are mourning Tuesday night the sudden death of County Fire Marshal Phil Gray. Chief Gray died early Tuesday evening at Mercy Hospital in Downtown Bakersfield after a long bout with cancer. The 44-year-old battalion chief and chaplain had been in the hospital off and on for several months following prostate surgery in September.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Phil Gray began his career with the Kern County Fire Department in May of 1987. He progressed though the ranks and was promoted to Battalion Chief in March of this year. In June of this year he accepted the position of Kern County Fire Marshal.
Phil was a loving and devoted husband and father. He was also very committed to his faith in God and was for many years one of the departments chaplains. While acting in the position of chaplain he was always available to help with the needs of his Fire Department family and was well liked and respected by all. Phil always had a caring and light hearted way about him and would always brighten your day with his humor and infectious laugh.
In conversation earlier this week he expressed his desire to get back to work as soon as he could. He also stated that if God had a different plan that was okay too.
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