Award-Winning Harford County Fireman Dies At 84

J. Alan Thompson, of Street, passed away on May 15, at Upper Chesapeake Medical Center in Bel Air. He was 84.

Thompson worked for 37 years at Aberdeen Proving Ground and was a veteran of the Maryland Army National Guard for more than 20 years, according to his obituary.

Since 1956, he has been an active member of the Darlington Volunteer Fire Company and was inducted into the Harford-Cecil Hall of Fame and Maryland State Firemen's Association Hall of Fame in 1990 and 2003, respectively.

"Chief John Alan Thompson, or 'J Alan' as we all have come to know him" is a past chief and president of the Darlington Volunteer Fire Company, the organization said in a statement.

"Alan's heart has been dedicated to the fire and EMS service in Harford county for over 60 years, and he has been instrumental in assisting to get many of the things we take for granted today put in place," the Darlington Volunteer Fire Company said in a statement.

Thompson was one of the first emergency personnel in Harford County to be able to provide advanced life support measures in the 1970s.

In addition to serving various roles at Darlington, Thompson was past president of the Harford County Volunteer Fire and EMS Association and has been active in the association's operations and finances since the 1970s, the statement said. "His thoughts and input will be greatly missed," the fire company said.

Thompson is survived by his wife of 64 years, Shirley (Peak) Thompson; daughters, Victoria (Arthur) Schwartz of Ardmore, Pennslyvania, and Debbie (Alan) Goodman of Salisbury; grandchildren, Tyler and Griffin Schwartz and Zack and Justin Goodman; and sister Sara Glassman of Street, his obituary states.

He was predeceased by his brother, George Thompson, and parents Kemper and Hazel (Carr) Thompson. He was also a lifetime member of Grace Memorial Episcopal Church.

In memory of J. Alan Thompson, contributions may be made in his name to Darlington Volunteer Fire Company, 2600 Castleton Road, Darlington, MD 21034.

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21, at McComas Funeral Home in Abingdon at 1317 Cokesbury Road Abingdon, MD 21009.

There will be an additional visitation from 10 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 22, at the Darlington Volunteer Fire Company, 2600 Castleton Road, Darlington, MD 21034.

A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 22, at the Darlington Volunteer Fire Company2600 Castleton Road Darlington, MD 21034

He will be laid to rest at Church of the Ascension Cemetery, 3015 Dublin Road, Street, Maryland 21154.

After the burial, the family and fire company will host a reception at the Darlington Volunteer Fire Company, 2600 Castleton Road, Darlington MD 21034