Luther Robert Himes

Luther R. "Bob" Himes Jr., 82, died Saturday, February 17, 2007.Luther R. "Bob" Himes Jr., a Fort Worth native, was born October 26, 1924. He graduated from Carter Riverside High School and then received an Aeronautical Engineering degree from Texas A&M University. During World War II (WWII) he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and became a pilot of a B-24 Liberator at the age of 18. He flew 31 combat missions out of Northern Italy earning the Air Metal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, and the European African Middle Eastern Campaign medal with five Bronze Stars. Shortly after WWII, L. R. Himes returned to Fort Worth and was hired as a firefighter on November 1, 1947. He was promoted through the ranks, and on July 2, 1969, he was appointed Chief. As a captain he was placed in charge of the training division and taught Chemistry of Fire at Texas A&M. During his tenure as Chief he was responsible for helping bring the Fort Worth Fire Department "out of the dark ages." Some of his accomplishments included setting the minimum standard of three men on a truck and arranging for the donation of several trucks and othermajor pieces of fire equipment. To match the growth and need of the city during that time period, he significantly lowered the department's response time through the addition of new fire stations and computerizing the response system. Chief Himes also served as President of the Texas Chapter, and as a board officer, of the International Association of Fire Chiefs. He served on the international committee to develop fire protective gear at NASA. He created the fire department's Chaplaincy program and assisted with the design of the current fire and police training center. Chief Himes retired from the Fort Worth Fire Department on February 15, 1980. During his 27 year retirement he and his wife of 59 years, Lajuana, enjoyed time with their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They also traveled by RV throughout the United States. They were members of Providence Reformed Episcopal Church in Weatherford, Texas.Chief Himes is survived by wife, Lajuana, of Decatur; daughter, Cathey Rudolph and her husband John of Las Vegas, NV; sons, Rev. Dr. Luther R. Himes III and his wife Edwina of Weatherford, and Terry Himes and his wife Sonia of Paradise; granddaughters, Dr. Carrie Robertson, Sarah Cookman and Trinity Himes; grandsons, Benjamin Robertson, Luther Himes IV and Nathan Himes; four great-grandchildren; and sisters-in-law, Mary Pearson of Weatherford, and Myra Walker of Kansas City, MO; and two nieces.In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the American Cancer Society.