Former volunteer fire chief remembered as devoted community servant

The funeral procession Tuesday for Charlie Bob Harp passed under this outstretched ladder truck bearing an American flag.

Over 10 fire trucks and other emergency vehicles from a dozen agencies turned out Tuesday afternoon for the funeral procession of former long-time Pleasant View Volunteer Fire Department Chief Charlie Bob Harp.

Harp, 59, died Friday from cancer at his home on Pleasant View Lane.

"Charlie Bob was a big man, but a fair man. He was a hard working man, who was always fair to you," said Larry Todd, a Pleasant View volunteer firefighter, who knew Harp for about 21 years.

"He was a very fun loving man when the time came to have fun. He was serious when the time came for it, but he loved life. He loved those grandkids and he loved his firefighters."

Shawn Jackson said that he first became acquainted with Harp in 1999 when he worked as a Williamsburg firefighter, but that over the last three to four years they became good friends.

He said that the community would probably best remember Harp as someone, who you knew what they stood for, and as being a goodhearted person and family man.

"He was a heck of a guy," Jackson said. "Charlie Bob was one of those guys, who would tell you exactly what was on his mind. He was a good hearted and strong willed person."

In addition to serving as fire chief, Harp also served the community in a variety of other capacities. He retired last year from the Kentucky State Highway Department, where he had worked for 31 years. He was also a former Whitley County Little League Coach.

One side of Harp that many people didn’t get to see was a guy, who liked to goof off and joke around, Jackson noted.

"He and I both enjoyed wrestling, and goofing off. At the end of the day not only did he work for the state, but he was fire chief for many years and he did a great job doing that," Jackson said.

"He served his community and was proud of his community. I just can’t say enough good about him because he was such a great person."

Harp is survived by his wife, Karen Harp of Williamsburg, and several other relatives.

Funeral Services were held at 1p.m. Tuesday at the Croley Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Larry Carte and Rev. Billy

Carpenter officiating. He was laid to rest in the Moses Addition of Pleasant View Cemetery in Williamsburg.

Harp’s obituary listed as the pallbearers "The Volunteer Firemen of Whitley County."