William C. Doavon Jr. or Cleve as he is known is 63 and has been a member of the fire company for 46 years.  During those years he has held many offices and served on many committee's.  Cleve has served both the administrative and fire line sides of the department.  On the fire side Cleve has held the office of Lieutenant, Captain,  2nd Assistant Chief and 1st Assistant Chief.  On the administrative side he has served as Director of Finance, Director of Public Relations, Vice President and lead the company as President.  

Cleve was also a member of the 100th Anniversary Committee and chaired the sub-committee that was charged with designing and producing our 100th Anniversary Book which was a huge success.  Cleve has recieved several awards during his membership with the company.  He has been awarded Fireman of the Year Award,  Kent County Fireman of the Year Award, and has responded to over 2000 alarms. Today Cleve keeps busy with the company chairing the budget committee. 

When asked what was his most memoriable event in the fire service Cleve quoted "there are no single memoriable event, he has enjoyed 46 years in the company."   

Outside the fire company Cleve has been very involved in the community serving as a coach with the Smyrna/Clayton Little League, Smyrna/Clayton Pop Warner, and served on the Clayton Town Council and also served as Mayor of the Town of Clayton.  

Today Cleve lives in Dover with his wife Lyndia, they have two grown children Jennifer Donavon & William C. "Billy" Donavon III, they also have 3 grandchildren; Troy, Madi, Lexxi.  

The company would like to Thank Past President Donavon for his years of dedicated public service to the fire company and the Clayton area.  

    

Helping people has always been a part of Kevin Wilson’s life. Beginning as a 16 year old Kevin joined the fire company to help his community. As a young man he joined the Delaware State Police. He has had a long career in both fields. 

In his 38 years in his fire service career he has held many positions and served on many committees. He has also been active on the county and state levels of the Delaware Fire Service. 

On the county level he has served as President of both the Kent County Firefighters and Kent County Fire Chiefs Association. On the state level he served as President of the DVFA. He also served on the Delaware Fire Prevention Commission. He has also served on too many committees’ within both Associations to mention.
Within the company Kevin has held many offices including; Lieutenant, Captain, 1st Asst. Chief, Deputy Chief and lead the firefighter force as Fire Chief in 1998. On the administrative side he served on the board of directors and is currently the Vice President of the Holding Company. Still active today at 53 years old you can find Past Chief Wilson on a fire scene doing many tasks. During his career in the company he has received several awards; Has was named Clayton Fire Company Firefighter of the Year in 2006, received his fire company Life Membership, the Delaware Volunteer Firefighters Fireman of the Year in 1997 and is a member of the DVFA Hall of Flame.
When asked what his most memorable event in his fire service career was Past Chief Wilson stated; being awarded the DVFA Fireman of the Year Award in 1997. He said the company submitting his name and the honor of being selected for the award was icing on the cake.
Outside the fire house Kevin is a member of the Harmony Lodge #13. When he is relaxing with his family he loves to spend time on the water; and spending time at his beach house. On the water he loves either jet skiing or in his boat. He also enjoys spending time his motorcycle.
Beside Kevin being involved in the fire service his whole family is involved. His wife Pam is an Associate Member, His daughters Alison and Ashley are both firefighters. Kevin and Pam also have two granddaughters Alexis & Alyssia. 
The company would like to thank Past Chief Wilson for his many years of dedicated service to the company and community.        

Dave Mast continued a long family tradition of members from his family serving the fire service when he joined the fire company 42 years ago as a junior member.  Once he joined it became his passion. 

Through the years Dave has held many offices and served on many committees’. Within the company Dave has held the office of Director and Vice President. Leading the fire suppression side of the company Dave held several line officers positions including Deputy Chief and lead the company as Fire Chief in 1980, 81, 83, 84 & 85. On the county and state level Dave is a Past President of the Kent County Fire Chief Association and a Past President of the Delaware State Fire Chief’s Association in 1985. He has also been an instructor with the DSFS for numerous years.
 
Through the years Dave has received several awards including; his Life Membership, an award for responding to the most alarms, and was named Fireman of the Year on two separate occasions.
 
When asked what event in the fire service that he remembered most Dave gave several; first he remembered the company hosting the DVFA Conventions in 1983 & 1986. This was a very large undertaking for a small department. He also fondly remembers the Massey Moore barn fire on July 20, 1969, it was the night the first Apollo mission landing on the moon. He also remembered a fatal house fire on Clayton-Greenspring Rd north of town in July 1979. Two of the more memorable fires when Dave was chief were the Campbell Soup Co. plant fire in 1984 when a large fire burned the roof area over main production area of the plant. Companies from over 6 companies fought the stubborn fire for several hours before bringing it under control. The other was the Eastburn barn fire on Underwoods Corner Rd. The fire was reported at dinner time on a Saturday night in January 1984 in a very large barn and took several hours to bring under control. Companies spent over 14 hours on this fire and didn’t clear until the next morning. The barn to this day is still standing.
 
Dave has had many members of his family serve the fire company. His Grandfather Fred J. Burke was a Past President of the DVFA. His Uncle Fred Burke was a Past Chief of the company. His mother Julia was very active in the ladies auxiliary; she was a Charter Life Member and Past President. Julia also served as a Past President of the Kent County Fireman’s Ladies Auxiliary and DVFA Ladies Auxiliary Associations. His brothers Charles & Mike both served in the company. He also has several aunts and cousins who have served in either the auxiliary or the company.
 
Dave is married to his wife Rosemary. He has 4 children; Davey Ann Davis, Chrissy Mast, Steve Mast and Brian Mast. Grandchildren; Kaylee Davis, Kolby Davis, Brian Mast, Lukas Mast, Mackenze Mast, a son-in-law Robert Davis and daughter-in-law Jill Mast.
The company would like to thank Past Chief Mast for his years of dedicated service to the company and community.

Richard W. Locke joined the company 38 years ago as a way to give back to the community. Always the community minded person he thought this would be anexcellent way to achieve this. At 65 years young he is still very active in the company. 

Today Richard splits his time between his house in Smyrna and a summer home in up-state New York so he and his wife Sally can be close to their daughter and her family.
 
Through the years Richard has kept busy within the company having held several offices to include; serving on the Board of Directors, serving as a trustee, and he served several years as a Lieutenant. He has served on numerous committees’ through the years. During his 38 years Richard has received several awards to include the member of the month award and received the Fireman of the Year Award in 1997.
 
When asked what event during his fire career that he remembered most, he answered in 1997 when he was named Fireman of the Year. The award recognizes the outstanding member above all other members.
 
Not only has Richard been very active within our department, but he has also supported many other organizations including; Richard and his wife Sally regularly attend Ewell St. Paul Church in Clayton. Richard was an Eagle Scout and a former Boy Scout Leader. He is a Charter Member and also served as President of the Fun Seekers Camping Club. He served his country in the United States Air Force and Air Force Reserve for 37 years. He also served on the Kent County Levy Court Personnel Board as Co-Chair.
 
Richard and his wife Sally have been married for 45 years. They have a daughter Amy who is married William Pond and live in Cape Vincent NY (Richard & Sally’s summer home also). They have 3 grand-daughters and 1 great grand-daughter.      
 
The company would like to congratulate and thank Richard for all the years of faithful service.
 

 Larry Duhadaway Sr. or Capt. Larry as he is known throughout the fire service has been fighting fires for a very long time. In fact it has been around 63 years he has been doing it. Today Capt. Larry, even at the young age of 83 can be seen helping out around the firehouse and up until about a year or so ago was an active fire policeman with the company. Beginning as a volunteer firefighter with the Christiana Fire Company in New Castle County Capt. Larry quickly found his calling and joined the City of Wilmington Fire Dept in 1950 where he served as a Firefighter 1st Class with that department until 1958. During that time Capt. Larry served on Engine Co’s 6 & 8 and was instrumental in establishing the Wilmington Fire Departments Marine Rescue units in its early days including Fire Boat #7. 

After leaving the Wilmington Fire Department Capt. Larry still kept busy with his volunteer companies in Christiana and than at Indian River Fire Company when he moved to Sussex County. With the Christiana Fire Co. Capt. Larry served as an Assistant Chief Engineer and is a Life Member. While in Indian River he served as an Assistant Fire Chief. Upon moving to the Clayton area in the mid 90’s Capt. Larry quickly found himself apart of our company. Through the years he has been very active helping out while responding to calls, attending parades and helping raise funds. He was a fire policeman for many years before retiring in 2011 when he was made an honorary fire policeman for the company. He is a prior Firefighter of the Year recipient at Clayton. Capt. Larry is also a life member of the Clayton Fire Company. He was also made an Honorary Member of the Citizens Hose Company for his many years of service assisting them as a fire policeman. 
When asked what his event in the fire service that he remembered the most Capt. Larry noted a fatal house fire in 1956 on West St in the City of Wilmington when 2 small children perished in the fire and he helped carry both children out of the house. The other would be the Wilmington Sash & Door fire on Palm Sunday April 3, 1950. His engine company was the first company in on that fire and he spent many hours on scene trying to bring the fire under control. 
Capt Larry is a member of several organizations outside the fire companies he is a member of including; Masonic Lodge #25 – Christiana, and the Kent County Fire Police Association. Capt. Larry has also spent a lifetime on the water having sailed up and down the east coast.  
Capt. Larry has many family members who are associated with the emergency services including his son Larry Sr who is a life member of Christiana, daughters Holly Duhadaway Queen & Sandy Faulls and a grandson Larry III (Bub) who is a member of Christiana and a paid firefighter in Maryland. Capt. Larry currently lives in Clayton with his partner Jane Coulbourne.
The officers and members of the Clayton Fire Company would like to recognize and thank Capt. Larry for his many years of service to not only the citizens of Clayton but the State of Delaware.        

Richard A. Chase Sr. or Dickie as he is known joined the Clayton Fire Company on February 13, 1973. Since that time he has held numerous positions and served on several committees. He has held the following Administrative offices; President, Vice President, Director of Finance, Director of Building & Grounds, Director of Supply, Director of Recreation & Entertainment, he has been a Trustee. He held administrative offices for 33 years. He has served the following fire line offices; Lieutenant & Captain. He also served as a Trustee on Holding Company and was the Chairman of the company’s 100th Anniversary Committee in 1991. He remarks his most memorable event in the Fire Service was when he won the Clayton fire Company Fireman of the Year Award. He also loves to attend the DVFA Fireman’s Conference Parade each year. Dickie has several members of his family who are also members of the company. His son Richard A. Chase Jr. is a Life Member is a prior Junior Firefighter of the Year Award winner and served on several committees. His step son Wade McNatt is a member a prior Junior Firefighter of the Year Award winner and is presently a Captain with the Volunteer Hose Co. of Middletown. His brother Charles Chase is also a member. He has two son in laws that are members; Joe Masten has been a member for several years and served as a line officer advancing as high as 1st Assistant Chief. His other son in law Eddie Ide is an associate member in the company. Dickie is married to Edie and has a daughter and step daughter who are not associated with the company; Cheryl Ide and Aimee Masten. Dickie list his hobbies as; camping, motorcycle riding and wood working. Outside the fire company he is involved with; Delaware Good Sam RV Club where he has been State Treasurer for 8 years, the Fun Seekers RV Club where he held all their offices, the Moose Lodge and American Legion Post #14. The officers and members would like to thank Dickie for his years of faithful service.            

 

John W. Davis Sr. or Jack as he is known joined the fire company in October 1963.  He will be celebrating 50 years in the fire service in 2013. During those years Jack has always been very active serving in several offices and committee’s. Jack has held the offices of Secretary, Director of Finance, Director of Building & Grounds and has severed the last several years as the President of the fire company’s Holding Company which manages the several properties that the fire company owns.   
     During his years of service Jack has received several awards including; Clayton Fire Company Member of the Month, Clayton fire Company Fireman of the Year, and the Kent County Fire Police of the Year. Jack lists his most memorable event during his fire service career of being awarded Fireman of the Year from the Fire Company and Fire Policeman of the Year from the Kent County Fire Police Association. 
     When he is not busy at the firehouse Jack lists his hobbies as; hunting, he is an excellent carpenter and enjoys his Haflinger Horses. He is also a member of the Mid Atlantic Haflinger Association, National Haflinger Registry, and the NRA.
      Not only is Jack active in the fire company but also are several members of his family; his wife Georgia has been a active member of the Ladies Auxiliary and will be its incoming President for 2012. His oldest son John W. “Wes” Davis Jr. is an active member and a Past Chief of the Company. Two of Jacks 3 grand children are also active in the fire company; Sarah is a active firefighter while John W. “Jack” Davis III recently joined the company as a junior member. He also has another grand daughter Andrea and a son Vincent who are not members of the fire company.    

 

J. Wallace Hudson or Wally as he is known around the firehouse is 86 years old and still very active to the day. Wally joined the Clayton Fire Company in 1968 after doing stints in the Singerly Fire Co. of Elkton Md and Millington Vol. Fire Co. Wally currently is a fire policeman with the company. Wally has always been very active in everything he undertakes and the fire service was no different. After moving to the area he immediately became active in the fire company. Through the years he has held many jobs and positions. He has been a fire policeman since the mid 70’s, has held the offices of President, Vice President, Director of Equipment, Director of Finance and has served on numerous committees. He has received numerous awards through the years. He has twice been award the Fireman of the Year Award for the company, the Kent County Fire Policeman of the Year, State of Delaware Fire Policeman of the Year Award, Kent County Fireman of the Year Award, DVFA Fireman of the Year Award, Millington Vol. Fire Co. Fireman of the Year Award, the Jefferson Award for Public Service. Wally list his most memorable event in his fire service career as when he received his award for responding to his 5000th alarm. Wally was not only very involved in the fire service but spent many years as the Scout Master for his local Boy Scout Troop. He lists his hobbies as working with any type of puzzles. Not only has Wally been an active member of the volunteer service but so has his family. His wife of 62 years Bertha is a Life Member and is very active in the Ladies Auxiliary. Wally and Bertha have 3 sons; Steve is a Life Member and Past President of the fire company, Mark is a Life Member of the fire company, he also has a son Barry who is not affiliated with the fire company. Wally has 2 grandchildren; Amanda is the daughter of Barry and Chris is the son of Steve and is also the Current President of the Citizens Hose Co. of Smyrna. The officers and members would like to thank Wally for his years of dedicated service to the community.

     Past Chief and Past President James L. Cubbage Jr. 63, joined the company on Jan 12, 1965. Following his father James L. Cubbage Sr. into the fire service. He was a graduate of John Bassett Moore High School in Smyrna. He also graduated from Wilmington College in 1987 with a BS degree in Criminal Justice. Chief Cubbage not only made the fire service a part of his volunteer life but also his professional career serving the citizens of Delaware as a Deputy State Fire Marshal. He rose to the rank of Assistant State Fire Marshal-Chief of Investigations. He retired after 30 years in that post in 2002.  

     During his career he has received many awards including; Fireman of the Year 1967, his Life Membership in the company in 1981, Kent County Fireman of the Year in 2008, 4 Hurst Rescue Tool Green Cross Awards, he is a member of the Delaware & Del-Mar-Va Fireman’s Associations Hall of Fame. In 2010 Chief Cubbage was named Chief Emeritus of the company becoming only the 4th member to receive that title. 

     During his career he has held the following offices within the company; Fire Chief 1973-74, Deputy Chief 1972, 1st Asst. Chief 1977, 2nd Asst. Chief 1971, Captain 1969-1970, Lieutenant 1967-68, Safety Officer 1995,2002, Fire Recorder 1975, President 1981-84, Vice President 1991, Secretary 1968-70, 1977-80, Treasurer 1971, Director 1972-74, 1978. On the state level Chief Cubbage served in many capacities in the DVFA. He led the state’s fire service as its president in 2000-2001 and severed as the DVFA Executive Secretary retiring in 2010. 
 
    When asked what were the most memorable events in his career Chief Cubbage listed two events; the first was the Massy Moore Farm barn Fire on July 20, 1969. This was memorable because it was the said night that Neil Armstrong first walked on the moon. The other was September 11, 2001. On that horrific day our nation was attacked by terrorists with the loss of 343 of our brothers in the FDNY. When this occurred the Delaware Fireman’s Conference was going on. Several of the events schedule for the conference were cancelled. Chief Cubbage was also the current President of the DVFA during those days. 
 
     During his time away from the firehouse Chief Cubbage likes to play golf, travel, and his passion of cheering on his beloved Philadelphia Eagles. He is a member and judge with the Shamrocks Judges Association. He is also a certified KCBS BBQ judge. Chief Cubbage is a member and Past Worshipful Master of the Harmony Lodge #13 A.F. & A.M. and belongs to several Masonic organizations. He is currently holds the position of NIMS/IMT Coordinator for DEMA in Smyrna. Chief Cubbage is married to his wife Nancy where they live in Smyrna with their two cats. The officers and members of the company would like to thank Chief Cubbage for his years of faithful service to the citizens of Clayton and the State of Delaware.
      

     WALTER EIERMAN JOINED THE FIRE COMPANY IN 1962 AND WILL BE CELEBRATING HIS 50TH ANNIVERSARY IN THE COMPANY IN 2012. AS A NEW MEMEBR HE IMMEDIATELY BECAME ACTIVE AND BEGAN HOLDING HIS FIRST OFFICE IN 1965. THROUGH THE YEARS WALTER HELD THE OFFICE OF DIRECTOR, TRUSTEE, TREASURER, and VICE PRESIDENT AND AS PRESIDENT IN 1966. ON THE SUPPRESSION SIDE OF THE DEPARTMENT WALTER SERVED AS LEIUTENANT, CAPTAIN, ASSISTANT CHIEF AND DEPUTY CHIEF. HE ALSO SERVED ON NUMERIOUS COMMITTEE’S INCLUDE CHAIRMAN OF THE BINGO COMMITTEE FOR NUMERIOUS YEARS.  

     WALTER WAS NAMED FIREMAN OF THE YEAR IN 1965. HIS MOST MEMORIAL EVENT IN HIS FIRE CAREER WAS THE WOOTENS CLOTHING STORE FIRE IN SMYRNA IN THE LATE 1960’S. FIRE DEPARTMENTS FROM AROUND THE AREA INCLUDING AS FAR AWAY OF HOLLOWAY TERRACE RESPONDED TO THE FIRE IN THE BLOCK LONG BUILDING THAT HAD APARTMENTS ON THE UPPER FLOORS.

     HE LISTS HIS HOBBIES AS COIN COLLECTING AND WATCHING BASEBALL AND FOOTBALL. WALTER IS MARRIED TO HIS WIFE JEAN AND HAS 2 GROWN CHILDREN; BRUCE EIERMAN AND SUSAN LOVEGROVE. HE ALSO HAS A GRANDDAUGHTER REBECCA LOVEGROVE AND GRANDSON CHARLES LOVEGROVE. THE OFFICERS AND MEMEBRS WOULD LIKE TO THANK WALTER FOR HIS YEARS OF FAITHFUL SERVICE TO THE COMPANY AND THE COMMUNITY.    

Starting this month and following every month we will be featuring 1 or 2 members of the company with a short profile of that member. The profile will be placed on both our main news page and also in a tab named “member profile” on our web page. Please check back each month to see who we are profiling.

      This month we will be featuring Past Chief and Past President Robert E. “Bob” Berghorn. Past Chief Berghorn is 84 years old and is the oldest living member of the Clayton Fire Co. Bob joined the fire company on March 13, 1945. Through the years Bob has held many offices and served on many committees. Bob
has held the following offices; President, Vice President, Director, Trustee, Lieutenant, Captain, 2nd A/C Chief, 1st A/C Chief, Deputy Chief and Fire Chief. 
     Bob has received several awards for his service throughout the years, he has been awarded the following; Fireman of the Year in 1992, Firefighter of the Year 2004, Outstanding Firefighter of the Year 2001. He is also a life member of the company. The most memorable event in Bob’s fire career was on July 30, 2005 when he was award Chief Emeritus of the company, making him one of only 4 members to have ever been awarded this award.
     Bob lists his hobbies/interests outside the fire service as serving on the Clayton Town Council and serving as Mayor of the Town of Clayton for 12 years. He served as a member of DEMEC Electric Co. He is also a life member of the VFW Post #8801 in Clayton, American Legion Post #14 in Smyrna. Bob attends the Ewell St. Paul UMC in Clayton. He served in the U.S. Army from 1945-1947.     
     The officers and members of the company would like to thank Bob for all his years of faithful service to the company and community.