Jimmy Rambo

Chief Jimmy Allen Rambo Olympia Fire Department, Retired Jim Rambo was born September 26, 1936, in Charleston, Arkansas, to Fay Augustus Rambo and Mary D. (Heathcock) Rambo. Jim completed his life on October 19, 2013, in Olympia, Washington. When Jim was a child his family moved to California where he grew up in Fresno. At age 16 Jim enlisted in the Army and served in Korea; then later was stationed at Fort Lewis. He met Dottee while at Ft. Lewis and they married and moved to Fresno in 1956. A year later his mother-in-law learned of an opening at the Olympia Fire Department and the young family headed north. Jim went to work for the Department on July 15, 1957. He rose through the ranks of the Fire Department, from firefighter to lieutenant, captain, assistant chief and chief. He served for 37 years, the last 17 as chief. He loved the OFD and was proud to have been a firefighter. After retirement Jim volunteered with the American Red Cross helping local survivors of house fires and floods, went to Oregon to assist in relief from a wildfire, to New York City after the 9/11 tragedy and to Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina. Jim is survived by his beloved family: wife Dottee Elsie Laura (Martin), daughter Laura Faye Rambo (Larry Severtson), son Timothy Jay (Ann), granddaughter Chelsea Diana Rambo and brother Harvey Gene. He was pre-deceased by his parents, brother Joseph Edward and sister Dorothy Lee Jacobson. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the American Cancer Society, the First Baptist Church of Olympia (PO Box 533, Olympia 98507) or any charitable organization of your choice. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 26, First Baptist Church of Olympia, 9th & Washington (parking in rear). Visitation and slide show starting at 10:00 a.m. For a full obituary or to leave memories, please visit www.FuneralAlternatives.org.