GLASGOW — Today is John Eudy’s final day with the Glasgow Fire Department and it could not be more bittersweet.
“I’m not really looking forward to leaving, but it’s something that I think now is the time,” said Eudy, 50. “I know retirement benefits are going to change and I know the state’s going to change some things.
“This is the best time to get out.”
Eudy came on board with the GFD in 1983 after working for four years with the Glasgow Street Department.
Fighting fires is now imprinted on his mind and in his body.
“This is a job, if you’ve ever heard any firemen talk, once you do it, it gets in your blood and it’s what you always want to do,” Eudy said. “People have rushes doing certain things, like skydiving or something like that.
“I love to drive a fire truck.”
One surge of adrenaline resulted in Eudy being the first to enter a burning house, accompanied by other firefighters. The blaze was contained before a second unit arrived on the scene.
A former captain had an interesting remark about Eudy’s performance.
“He made a comment to somebody, ‘That’s the firefightingest SOB I’ve ever seen,’” Eudy said. “That kind of gave me a big head.”
Eudy, now an assistant chief, has many fond memories from his time with the GFD. However, when it comes to pride, nothing has given him more than when he was a captain and ran a shift.
“You have to show yourself as a leader,” he said. “If you don’t, guys are not going to follow you.”
Retirement from the GFD, however, is not retirement completely. Eudy will continue to work by selling parts to fire departments for a company out of Lexington. He will not have to relocate, but instead will be based out of Glasgow.
For others at the GFD, Eudy’s retirement has brought about a wave of emotion.
“I’ve (already) had my cry session, so I’ll try not to do that again,” said office administrator Polly Spillman.
Spillman has worked with Eudy for three years, but their history goes back a lot further.
“I have known John since the day he was born,” she said. “His family went to church at the same church that I went to in Hiseville, so I’ve known him for a long time.”
As can often happen, Spillman lost contact with Eudy on a regular basis once he moved into Glasgow and began working for the city. That changed once she started working for the GFD three years ago.
“It was great to get reacquainted with him,” Spillman said.
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BRAD DICKERSON
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A last call out
John Eudy retires from GFD today
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