LODD: Fire Capt. Alan Leake, 51, Missouri

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May he rest in peace.

MISSOURIAN

Columbia, Missouri

Fulton firefighter dies at 51

Capt. Alan Leake died Sunday while at the scene of an accident.

By J.T. QUIN

May 2, 2006

A Fulton firefighter died Sunday afternoon at the scene of an automobile accident.

Capt. Alan Leake, 51, had an apparent heart attack after responding to a rollover accident call on northbound Missouri 54 in Fulton.

Despite the efforts of fire, police and ambulance workers on the scene, Leake was later pronounced dead at Callaway Community Hospital.

Leake, who worked for the Fulton Fire Department for 23 years, was the captain of C shift.

In addition to emergency responses, Leake was responsible for keeping the daily logs and reports and teaching driver training.

On Monday, firefighters honored Leake at the Fulton Fire Station. The station’s flag flew at half-staff, and outside, a wreath stood between two fire trucks.

“He was a strong leader who stuck by his people,†said firefighter Irving Garbison. “He went by the book, but he always added just enough humor to even it out.â€

Firefighter Steve “Dude†Knowles remembered being the butt of one of Leake’s jokes. Knowles was taking driver training with Leake at the time. Leake got into the passenger side door and immediately placed a cup of coffee on the dash.

“He told me, ‘When the chief comes, he always puts his coffee on the dashboard,†Knowles said. “‘You better not spill a drop.’â€

Knowles said he was nervous until he looked over and saw the smile creeping across Leake’s face.

Whether going on an emergency call or conducting inspections, Leake was always excited about his work, said firefighter Quintin Sample.

That enthusiasm extended into Leake’s daily routine, said Vicki Schulte, the department’s public information officer.

Each day at the beginning of his shift, Leake had to run a test to make sure the engine’s radio equipment was working.

“When he was done the truck test, he would always say, ‘Thank you, Callaway. Have a good day,†Schulte said.

Leake is survived by a wife, five children and three grandchildren. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Maupin Funeral Home, 301 Douglas Blvd., in Fulton. Burial will be at St. Paul Cemetery in Perry.