Dallas Fire-Rescue stories of bravery and sacrifice: G.C. “Cecil” Moore

Dallas Fire-Rescue stories of bravery and sacrifice: G.C. “Cecil” Moore

Thursday, October 21, 1965 was an average day for most people in Dallas.

Gasoline was 32 cents per gallon, Tom Landry’s Cowboys were struggling with just two wins after a loss to the Cleveland Browns the previous Sunday and The Cincinnati Kid starring Steve McQueen and Ann Margret was playing in Dallas movie theaters. But on this day, the City lost one its finest. Dallas Fire Department Driver-Engineer G.C. “Cecil” Moore answered his final alarm.

Cecil Moore was born in 1909 and grew up in Prattville, Texas, a town now missing from most maps. He joined the Dallas Fire Department in 1942 and was assigned to Station 21, located in a converted house on Grove Street near Love Field. Like many men of his era, Moore served in the military during World War II and returned to the Department after the war. Upon return, Moore served at Station 11 on Cedar Springs and again at Station 21, which had moved from the converted house to a former military fire station located on the Love Field runway. When Station 39 opened he worked the very first shift in the new station and would call it home for rest of his career.

Cecil Moore was protecting and serving the people of Dallas on Monday, October 18th, responding to a structure fire in the 2600 block of Mayhew. While in route to the scene, Moore suffered a massive heart attack. Despite efforts to save him, Moore died three days later at Baylor Hospital. Moore was 56 years old and left behind a wife, two children, a mother, four brother, three sisters and two grandchildren. He was the first fireman to be buried in the firefighter’s area at Hillcrest Memorial Park.

In 2003, Moore’s widow, his two children, 11 grandchildren and great grandchildren attended the Time Capsule Ceremony at Station 39.

Since its inception, DFR has lost 70 in the line of duty. From John Clark in 1902 to William Scott Tanksley in 2014, DFR firefighters and paramedics have answered the final alarm with a long history of tradition, selflessness and sacrifice.

DFR will hold a 2015 Memorial Service at 10 a.m. October 24 at 5000 Dolphin Road. This every five year event will honor fallen firefighters and their families. To learn more about Dallas Fire-Rescue and review their incredible history visit: http://www.dallasfirerescue.com/.

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