By Lyndsey Price
WCYB
KINGSPORT, Tenn. — A fireman’s funeral is a visually compelling service that commemorates the service of a firefighter. Thursday a man credited with founding the Warriors Path Volunteer Fire Department and spent 40 years of his life volunteering received that special tribute.
Jay Burdge devoted his life to fighting fires. He moved to Kingsport in 1968 and immediately wanted to make a difference. “He saw the need in the Colonial Heights area for a fire department and with that he was one of the charter members that came up that got the fire department started,” says Gene Lady.
Gene Lady worked with Jay for several years. He says Jay served as chief of the Warriors Path Volunteer Fire Department for 25 years. “A man that was a leader, a man that touched 100s and 100s of men and women’s lives. This man leaves behind a legacy that nobody else will ever leave behind in the fire service,” adds Lady.
Full story: Local firefighter honored with ‘fireman’s funera’ on September 11th