Two Goldsby firefighters, including longtime Oklahoman journalist, killed in tanker crash
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol confirmed that two Goldsby volunteer firefighters died while responding to a structure fire in McClain County on Friday, March 20.
OHP said they responded to a call at 3:17 a.m. when a Goldsby Fire Department tanker overturned and struck a tree. The truck was traveling east on Redbud Road when the crash occurred near SE 12th Street.
OHP confirmed the victims as Earl Bryan Jenkins, 63, a fire chief for the Goldsby Fire Department, and Todd Pendleton, 62, a longtime journalist for The Oklahoman.
Screenshots of aerial footage showing the scene where a fire truck rolled over Friday morning, killing two firefighters.
The Town of Goldsby shared the news of his death Friday morning.
“The loss of these individuals is devastating to our town and the entire fire community. We ask that you please keep their families and our first responders in your thoughts and prayers during this unimaginably difficult time,” the town said. Facebook.
On Friday afternoon, a procession of fire trucks and police vehicles escorted the deceased firefighters from the coroner’s office in Oklahoma City through Goldsby to their funeral home in Purcell, Oklahoma.
American flags flew on both sides of Goldsby’s Main Boulevard as friends and family gathered to pay their respects.
Many in the audience, watching the parade, said Goldsby was a close-knit community and the loss of Pendleton and Jenkins would be deeply felt.
Ronda Farrow, the widow of another firefighter, was carrying a sign that read “5555,” a reference to the tradition of pointing four five-bar lines when a firefighter dies in the line of duty.
“They were the first people to knock on my front door when I lost my husband. So this is close to home,” Farrow said. “My heart goes out to them and their families.”
Cary Bryant, deputy and public information officer for the McClain County Sheriff’s Office, said the loss of Pendleton and Jenkins is a heavy blow to the community.
“These two veterans are friends and family of the people who live here and the other firefighters. The volunteer fire department is a very close-knit community in itself, and losing one is terrible. When you lose two, the pain isn’t even twice as bad; it’s worse than that,” Bryant said Friday afternoon.
Pendleton was a 12-year veteran firefighter and EMT in his hometown. In addition to his volunteer work, Pendleton was a graphic journalist at The Oklahoman, where he worked for nearly four decades.
Todd Pendleton.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 40 years, Robyn, his three sons in their 30s, Ethan, Evan and Erik, and his five grandchildren.
“We are devastated by the loss of Todd and his colleague, Chief Jenkins,” said Ray Rivera, executive editor of The Oklahoman. “Todd loved his job as a firefighter and was one of the most talented, kindest people we have ever worked with as a journalist. Our hearts go out to both families.”
Pendleton graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in commercial art and worked as a freelance artist for a time.
Headshot of graphic and digital artist Todd Pendleton at The Oklahoman.
More: See some of Todd Pendleton’s latest political cartoons and artwork at The Oklahoman
He joined The Oklahoman in 1988 and first worked in the advertising art department. A year later, he moved to the editorial department and worked on illustrations and cartoons for the newspaper’s opinion and news pages. He became artistic director in 2004.
“There are many bylines and photos in The Oklahoman every day. But one name you may have missed was Todd Pendleton. You can see Todd’s name in small print behind the beautiful graphics. He brought light, color and context to the paper,” said Kelly Dyer Fry, former editor and publisher of The Oklahoman.
“He was loved by everyone. Todd would regularly come to work after a long night as a volunteer firefighter. He never missed a beat of his job. No matter what you asked Todd, his answer was usually ‘Let me see what I can do.’ Then he delivered.”
Pendleton also taught Graphics in Journalism as an adjunct professor at the University of Oklahoma from 2010 to 2014. He was one of the pioneers of the transition from hand-drawn art to digital illustration and graphic design.
Bryan Jenkins, 64, has held various positions in Norman, Cleveland County and McClain County. Jenkins began working in Cleveland County in 1987 and continued to manage the fairgrounds as of 2014.
Bryan Jenkins.
“He was a public servant filled with courage, professionalism and an unwavering commitment to those around him. He was also a dedicated first responder who served with courage and honor,” said Alysa Moore, Cleveland County communications director.
Jenkins was a retired firefighter and served as a firefighter for 35 years before volunteering as fire chief for the Goldsby Fire Department. He graduated from Norman High School and earned a business degree from Rose State College.
He is survived by his wife, Sandy, their three children, Brittany, Brandy and Brent, and two grandchildren.
“These firefighters spent their lives in service of their communities. They served alongside their families, friends and neighbors. We in the Town of Goldsby mourn their loss and honor their memory,” the town said. Facebook.
This article was first published in The Oklahoman: Oklahoma journalist among two Goldsby firefighters killed in tanker crash
