The Oklahoma Highway Patrol confirmed that two Goldsby volunteer firefighters died early Friday, March 20, while responding to a structure fire in McLean County.
OHP said they received a report at 3:17 a.m. that a Goldsby Fire Department tanker truck had overturned and struck a tree. The truck was traveling east on Redbud Road when the crash occurred near SE 12th Avenue.
OHP identified the victims as Earl Bryan Jenkins, 63, a former fire chief with the Goldsby Fire Department, and Todd Pendleton, 62, a longtime reporter for The Oklahoman.
A screenshot of aerial footage shows the scene where a fire truck rolled over, killing two firefighters, on Friday morning.
The Town of Goldsby shared news of the death Friday morning.
“The deaths of these individuals are devastating for our town and the entire firefighting community. We ask that you keep their families and our first responders in your thoughts and prayers during this unimaginably difficult time,” the town shared on Facebook.
A fleet of fire trucks and police cars escorted the fallen firefighter from the Oklahoma City Medical Examiner’s Office through Goldsby to a funeral home in Purcell, Oklahoma, Friday afternoon.
American flags flew along Goldsby Avenue as friends and family gathered to pay their respects.
Many spectators as they watched the parade go by said Goldsby was a close-knit community and the loss of Pendleton and Jenkins would be deeply saddened.
Ronda Farrow, the widow of another fallen firefighter, held a sign that read “5555,” a reference to the longstanding tradition of sending a four-and-a-half-dash signal when a firefighter is killed in the line of duty.
“When I lost my husband, they were the first people who knocked on my front door. So it’s very close to home,” Farrow said. “My heart goes out to them and their families.”
Cary Bryant, deputy and public information officer for the McLean County Sheriff’s Office, said the deaths of Pendleton and Jenkins hit the community hard.
“These two veterans were friends and family of people who lived here and other firefighters. The volunteer fire department itself is a very tight-knit community, and when you lose one person, it’s terrible. When you lose two people, the pain doesn’t even double; it’s much worse than this,” Bryant said Friday afternoon.
Pendleton is a 12-year veteran firefighter and first responder in his hometown. In addition to his volunteer work, Pendleton was a graphic reporter for The Oklahoman, where he worked for nearly four decades.
Todd Pendleton.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 40 years, Robyn, three sons in their 30s, Ethan, Evan and Erik, and five grandchildren.
“We are saddened by the deaths of Todd and his colleague Jenkins,” said Ray Rivera, executive editor of The Oklahoman. “Todd loved his job as a firefighter and as a reporter, he was one of the most talented and kindest people we have ever worked with. Our hearts go out to both families.”
Pendleton graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in commercial art and worked as a freelance artist.
Profile photo of Oklahoma-based graphic and digital artist Todd Pendleton.
More: Check out some of Todd Pendleton’s latest political cartoons and art in Oklahoma
He joined The Oklahoman in 1988, initially working in the advertising arts department. A year later, he moved to the editorial office, where he drew illustrations and cartoons for the paper’s opinion and news pages. In 2004, he was appointed artistic director.
“The Oklahoman has many bylines and photo credits every day. But you might miss the name Todd Pendleton. Behind the beautiful graphics, you’ll see Todd’s name in lowercase letters. He brought light, color and context to the paper,” said Kelly Dyer Fry, former editor and publisher of The Oklahoman.
“He was well-liked by everyone. As a volunteer firefighter, Todd would usually come back to work after a long night. He never missed a beat on the job. No matter what you asked Todd, his answer was usually ‘Let me see what I can do.'” And he delivered. “
Pendleton also served as an adjunct professor at the University of Oklahoma from 2010 to 2014, teaching a course on news graphics. He was one of the pioneers in the transition from hand-drawn art to digital illustration and graphic design.
Bryan Jenkins, 64, has served in various capacities in Norman, Cleveland and McLean counties. Jenkins began working for Cleveland County in 1987 and further managed the playground starting in 2014.
Brian Jenkins.
“He was a public servant filled with courage, professionalism and an unwavering commitment to those around him. He was also a dedicated first responder who served with courage and honor,” said Cleveland County Communications Director Alyssa Moore.
Jenkins was a retired firefighter who later volunteered as fire chief with the Goldsby Fire Department and had 35 years of experience as a firefighter. He graduated from Norman High School and received a business degree from Ross State College.
He is survived by his wife, Sandy, three children, Brittany, Brandy and Brent, and two grandchildren.
“These firefighters dedicated their lives to serving their community. They served alongside family, friends and neighbors. We at the Town of Goldsby mourn their loss and honor their memory,” the town shared on Facebook.
This article originally appeared in Oklahoma: Two Goldsby firefighters killed in tanker accident include Oklahoma reporter
