Langley mourns retired fire chief Jim McGregor

Langley City is mourning the death of retired fire chief Jim McGregor, who died suddenly Thursday evening at his home in Langley.

McGregor joined the Langley City Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter in 1970. He became a paid deputy fire chief in 1979, was appointed chief in 1983 and served in that role until retiring in 2006.

The city said McGregor was widely known for his fire-service career, volunteer work and knowledge of local history. After retirement, he wrote more than 600 columns for the Langley Times and was also a poet and author.

Among his works was Climb Higher, a tribute to first responders who served and died during the Sept. 11 attacks. Langley City said McGregor will be missed by his family, friends, former colleagues at Langley City Fire Rescue and others in the community.