Senior Moments-Lifetime of Civic Duty by Carol Hutson
March 13, 2010
We often hear of people who go above and beyond for their community; those who always put the needs of others before their own. We have many such people in “Our Town,” people who first and foremost truly want to make Thurmont, a better place to live. One such person is our own James Mackley.
James H. Mackley, born on January 3, 1929, to Lloyd and Ruth Mackley. Jim being the fourth generation volunteer firefighter, followed in his great-grandfather James C. Mackley, grandfather Irvin Mackley, and father Lloyd Mackley’s footsteps when he joined the Guardian Hose Company volunteer fire department on December 6, 1945, at the tender age of 16, he was one of the youngest volunteer firefighters at the time. “Because so many men were in the military they lowered the age limit which allowed Jim and others to join.” noted president of the Guardian Hose Co. Wayne Stackhouse. “December 6, 2010, will commemorate his 65 years of dedicated service, Jim has served the fire co. and the Thurmont Ambulance Co. with dedication unlike any other.” he added. Trustee, Terry Frushour advises, “Jim took his fire training course in 1946, served as Assistant Fire Chief and as Fire Chief from 1978-1987 and received the Special Life Member award on February 15, 1975. He was inducted into the Frederick County Fire and Rescue Association Hall of Fame in 1997.” Assistant Treasurer Bill Zentz added, “What is important to know about Jim, he remained an important member of the company long after many people burned out, he is phenomenal.” Wayne advised, “Jim Mackley came up through the ranks, starting as a line officer hanging off the back-end of the truck, all the way through to chief. He is well respected. I call it, a PILLAR, if you wanted to build a foundation for a fire company, he would be the COLUMN you would build around. He has been instrumental in every aspect of the fire co. He still takes active interest in the meetings and fund raisers.” Terry adds, “Jim has always been a mentor for many in the co. He is someone to look up to if you wanted to set goals. He was an assistant Boy Scout leader and very active in his church and on the church council, Jim and Dot have served Meals on Wheels for years to seniors in our community.”
Jim has seen many changes in the fire company, “When I started they did not have turn-out gear. My first big fire, cinder sparks filtered down burning holes in my coat,” Jim remembers. Jim was an active member of the fire co. until he had a very bad spill on his scooter while responding to the fire alarm, hitting his head on the curb he was flown to Hagerstown for treatment, which ended his career otherwise at 81 he would still be gearing up at the sound of the alarm. One important aspect I took away from my interview with these very active- life long dedicated members of our Guardian Hose Company is, they are not only a ‘brotherhood of firefighters,’ they are family! None, taking credit or trying to standout above the rest. A foundation as President Stackhouse said, that has built this fire company into the most active VOLUNTEER fire company in Frederick County! Jim served in the Navy after he graduated from high school in 1946, his tour of duty took him to the Mediterranean for two years, after which his adventurous spirit lead him to Alaska where he worked for a gold mining company for two years. It was on one of his visits home in 1951, that fate intervened, while driving his Chevy a pretty young nursing student riding in a Model A Ford called out, “I like Chevy’s.”
That was the beginning of their love story. Dorothy grew up on a farm in Bedford, PA and was training at Victor Cullen’s Sanatorium to be a nurse. Jim and Dorothy dated for three years. Jim knew that Dorothy was the one he wanted to spend his life with, they were married on June 5, 1954. They moved into their home on Main Street five months after their marriage and has lived there ever since. Dorothy worked as an in-home nurse until retirement. They have been blessed with three wonderful children: Mike (Chuck), Ruth and Sally, and have seven beautiful grandchildren: Ryan, Sarah, Meghan, Emily, Matthew, Elizabeth and Christopher. Jim loves it when his twin granddaughter’s, Sarah and Meghan say “Oh, pappy your so cute!” Jim is well known for his sense of humor and pranks. In his younger days while trying to attract Dot’s attention as she and her friends were swimming, Jim and his mischievous pals hooked firecrackers to the spark plugs of their car, it startled the girls when it gave a loud bang when they started it. Jim recounts the time Dot and her friends were bowling, he and his playful pals placed a bucket under the back axle of their car, when the girls tried to leave the back tires only spun. “Jim and the chief of Rocky Ridge fire company have always try to outdo each other,” states Trustee Frushour, “I remember the time Jim presented the chief with an agitator from a wash machine.” he laughs.
Jim’s Treasured Moment: Getting married and the birth of their children and grandchildren.
Jim’s Senior Moment: Being honored in 2005 for his 60 years of service to the fire company.
Dorothy’s Treasured Moment: When their son Chuck was ordained 25 years ago, he is currently serving as minister to the United Church of Christ in Clear Spring.
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