By: Glenn Harbison, The Citizen Owner/Publisher

Fannin County and the Copper Basin are full of heroes, seldom given the credit they deserve or talked about. Even though seen, their work often goes unnoticed.

They are the men and women who answer the call in an emergency. Day or night, when someone is in trouble, they are there.

They give up family time, peace and quite, and often the comforts of home for a stress filled lifestyle dedicated to helping others.

They are also the ones who, when a neighbor is in trouble, go out of their way to help. The neighbor might or might not know where the help came from.

Their work, their calling, is not for everyone and certainly not for the weak of heart. All too often those among us who answer the call to serve see things that most would think unimaginable. Sadly, the things they see are more than imaginable, they are real.

With the untimely passing of Spencer Kitchens, Fannin County has lost one of its heroes.

His obituary reminds us he has served with the Fannin County Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services since 1986.

That must have been when I first met Spencer. I had known his dad, Tex, since, I think, the very first time I walked into the Fannin County Courthouse.

Spencer was dedicated to helping others. Firefighting and ambulance service work is not easy. There are long hours, late nights, and times away from home. Those times include birthdays, holidays and anniversaries.

But I never remember seeing Spencer when he didn’t have a smile on his face.

I shared my most vivid memory of Spencer when a friend asked me if I had heard the news of Spencer’s passing. 

Years ago, soon after I first knew him, Spencer had gone “up North” for surgery. It was the kind of surgery that gave no guarantee.

Prayers went up all over Fannin County.

Then, late one night on the fire department/ambulance service radio frequency, I was listening and heard the call.

Spencer’s identification number was called out and the message came over that he was out of service, but back in the county.

Back in the county – a blessing some feared would not happen. I think the sigh of relief echoed louder than thunder all over Fannin County.

Spencer served the people of Fannin County unselfishly.

He will be missed, but he will be remembered and talked about for a long time. Heroes always are.

Glenn Harbison is owner/publisher of The Citizen. He can be reached at 706-946-7003 or by email at glenn@fanninbasincitizen.com.