A firefighter from Cresson who died while fighting the August Complex wildfire in Northern California was scheduled to return home Wednesday night.
"Diana Jones was not someone who was interested in just sitting back and letting other people do things," Cresson Volunteer Fire Department Chief Ron Becker said. "In their hour of need, folks from all over the U.S. have gone to assist as best we can, and Diana Jones was one of them."
Five years ago, at the age of 58, Jones retired from her job as a hairstylist and started an entirely new career as a firefighter/EMT.
"It has to be a calling," Lt. Rita Lenig said. "You have to want to help other people."
Firefighter and EMT Diana Jones was flown to the Cresson airport where she was met by her family and the Cresson Volunteer Fire Department. She will be accompanied by her son, a captain with the Cresson Volunteer Fire Department who also volunteered to help fight the California Wildfires.
After her arrival, around 7 p.m. Wednesday, the fire department will carry Jones to the training facility at 9401 East US 377 where she will lie in state until her memorial service.
Jones spent countless hours painting and cleaning the training facility, and the department voted Thursday evening to name the facility in her honor.
Local
The latest news from around North Texas.
"What will happen to a lot of us today is that the abstract feeling will get another dose of reality," Becker said.
"She was a sister. She'll be missed," Lt. Nathaniel Cumberland said.
Her public memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Granbury Church of Christ. The Chaplin and the preaching minister of the church, Dr. John Knox, will officiate the service.
Jones will be laid to rest next to her late husband in Marble Falls.
According to the Cresson Fire Department, both Diana's family and the fire department are touched and honored by the overwhelming support they have received.
