Former Laguna Beach Fire Chief James Latimer Dies
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James Franklin Latimer, former Laguna Beach fire chief and one of the 10 original firefighters in the City of Orange, died Sunday of cancer at age 61.
Latimer began his fire career in March, 1956, as a firefighter for Orange and was promoted to fire captain three years later. He worked as fire chief in Taft, then returned to the Orange County in January of 1970 as fire chief of Laguna Beach. He retired in August of 1973 for medical reasons.
Later Latimer was active selling fire apparatus and equipment. He lived in San Juan Capistrano.
Latimer is survived by his wife of 40 years, Alta; a son, Paul; a daughter, Deborah; five grandchildren, and two sisters and brother in his hometown of Searcy, Ark.
Memorial services and a fire department funeral will be held 10 a.m. Friday at the First Baptist Church in Santa Ana.
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