Watch – Memorial Service for Fallen Porterville Firefighters
https://www.facebook.com/portervillefire/videos/505858413637417/
By Laura French
TULARE, Calif. — The second of two firefighters who were killed in a fire at a California library on Feb. 18 was laid to rest on Thursday morning.
Porterville Firefighter Patrick Jones, 25, was honored by hundreds of first responders, friends, family and community members at his memorial service and funeral, according to Visalia Times Delta.
“He was an amazing man, son, brother,” family friend Nita Hollibaugh told Visalia Times Delta. “He did everything 100%, full-hearted.”
Jones became a full-time firefighter at the Porterville City Fire Department in 2017. He attended the fire academy shortly after graduating high school.
Family friend David Beam told KGET that Jones had always been “sharp as he could be,” even as a young child.
“When it came to firefighting, Patrick was relentless,” the Porterville Fire Department wrote in a Facebook post. “He wanted to be the best he possibly could be to support his brothers – he never wanted to let them down.”
Jones was engaged to be married and is survived by his grandparents and parents, two siblings and his fiancée, according to the department.
The funeral for Porterville Fire Capt. Ramon “Ray” Figueroa, who was also killed in the blaze, was held on Tuesday with hundreds in attendance. Figueroa had a close relationship to all of his fellow firefighters, including Jones, according to his loved ones.
“Ray was all about his guys,” said family friend Samantha Rafanan. “He didn’t leave Patrick.”
A joint memorial service for both fallen firefighters is scheduled for Friday at 11 a.m. PST at Porterville Church.
https://www.facebook.com/portervillefire/photos/a.797210307048558/2208919862544255/?type=3&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARAvj-007qgrw7YDSqXQkrUOkYmrIeyeNRX_1bZn_Tko50deFM5lv4-YdIRv2G6Bjk2k2q_ShLcCC_5gb_qHhGeUqEd9imqFqefFjONm8a0ovxGFG6twXgy0YIhQzvGV0okc9zA9sjbFGSClkSKV_TX7VtB9G132NLbt1NDHR3RaHPN5mknyvRSBy0pA-XnIbzyS5M_mkEnJR3CmMlScxcVMUKheMMWQ5igS8gO8atugOWdOTDAKiJuMugd9DQR8oelE8kEVGhFrZv4GSEmugfwt3IaKXa3OC4yxSUQPwA2LTBjovn_O22VFkrHBz6RwCtba0ZGc5193ZC9N1MjPOGoWJw&__tn__=-R https://www.facebook.com/portervillefire/photos/a.797210307048558/2218900098212898/?type=3&theater