Gregory E. Rodgers‚ 50‚ a member of the Dresden Volunteer Fire Department‚ died on December 13‚ 1999‚ after he collapsed while filling a tanker during a mutual aid response to a barn fire. Department medics‚ including his son and wife‚ worked to save Rodgers who later died of a heart attack. He had worked for General Electric for 32 years.

Submitted by his daughter

Greg joined the Dresden Volunteer Fire Department in 1996 as an Emergency Medical Technician with his wife‚ Julie. They were also joined by Greg’s son‚ Justin‚ and their nephew‚ Terry. In January 1999‚ Greg was voted on as a firefighter by the department.

He was always ready to respond to a call‚ no matter the time or day. A fellow DVFD member recalled his summer attire on runs: cut-off jean shorts‚ t-shirt‚ tennis shoes and even an occasional bandana – worn Karate Kid style.

Greg was a very dedicated member of the Dresden Fire Department. He was always willing to help out with fundraisers and other community events.

The Dresden Volunteer Fire Department dedicated a monument in Greg’s memory on September 13‚ 2000. It features a photo of Greg taken by his daughter at a Prom Promise Mock Accident in 1997.

A 1967 graduate of Tri-Valley High School‚ Greg was a veteran of the United States Army. He served as a supply clerk in Vietnam for a year. Greg was a long-standing member of the American Legion Post #399. He had served as their treasurer for many years.

Greg worked for 32 years at the General Electric plant in Coshocton. Greg was also a member of the Dresden Church of the Nazarene.

During the funeral service‚ the pastor recalled Greg’s love of children. He was great with kids‚ and would have made a wonderful grandfather.

Greg was a huge fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes Football team. He even made the downstairs bathroom into an Ohio State shrine‚ complete with gray walls‚ red trim and Ohio State curtains. Greg hosted weekly football parties at his home- all leading to the final Saturday when Ohio State played that team up north.

Greg was at the height of his glory when we traveled to Indiana in November of 1996 to watch the Buckeyes take on the Hoosiers. He had a huge smile on his face the entire day. Ohio State won the right to go to the Rose Bowl with that game. Greg was one of the first people on the sidelines to rush the field following the victory.

Greg was survived by his wife of 20 years‚ Julie; a son and his wife‚ Justin & Cindy Rodgers and two daughters‚ Jody & Jil Rodgers. He was also survived by a sister and her husband‚ Pam & Smiley Smythe; a brother and his wife‚ Fred & Cindy Rodgers; and many nieces‚ nephews and friends‚ including a very special nephew‚ Terry Lowery. He was also survived by his beloved dog‚ Toby. Greg had waited 46 years for his first dog‚ and you could tell he really loved him.