John Condon

John Francis Condon, age 75, died at home on May 7, 2015 after an extended illness. He was surrounded by family and friends. The youngest of five children, he was born Mar. 2, 1940 in Anderson to Paul L. and Ruth H. (Plank) Condon. He was a 1959 graduate of Anderson High School. After high school, he went to work for Nicholson Fire until he began the career he loved most with the Anderson Fire Dept. He served with them from Aug. 1, 1968 until he retired on Jan. 16, 2004 after 35 ½ yrs. of service. John was promoted to sergeant Jan. 1, 1972, to captain Feb. 24, 1973, and then to 2nd District Chief on May 2, 1979. He returned to the position of private in Jan. 1980 after a mayoral leadership change until Feb. 22, 1988 when he was promoted back to captain and then to Battalion Chief of “A” shift on Jan. 25, 1988, where he remained until his retirement. John was one of the very first recipients of the Carling Black Label “Save That Life” national awards in 1973 and the American Legion George Hockett Post 127 Firefighter of the Year award in 1973 after being credited for reviving an unconscious man without a pulse after dragging him out of a burning home and giving him mouth to mouth. He was again honored with the American Legion Post 127 Firefighter of the Year award on Nov. 5, 1977 after helping rescue three trapped children Nov. 23, 1976 from an upstairs bedroom and suffering 1st and 2nd degree burns on his neck, head, and ears. He also received a commendation from Chief Ballenger. On Dec. 6, 2003, John was honored as Firefighter of the Year by the Anderson Evening Exchange Club of the Prevention of Child Abuse and again on Feb. 28, 2004 by the American Legion Post 127 shortly after his retirement. He was later awarded the state of Indiana’s Governor’s Distinguished Hoosier Award in 2004. Not only did he have a decorated career, but he was instrumental in other projects. He was one of ten founding leaders in building and funding the Anderson Fraternal Order of Fire Fighters lodge, donating many hours in its construction, and he was also the former chairman of the local FOFF. He helped renovate old Station 4 at 3rd and Hendricks, now closed, and served on the committee to make it into the Madison County Fire Museum. He also participated in several fire dept. softball teams, including Aug. of 1974, wherein the slow pitch league had a 12-2 record. John and his wife, Debbie, were also contributors to the construction of the Anderson Fire Safety House in the Anderson Public Library, in honor of his deceased uncle who was also an AFD firefighter. John was a member of the Indiana Firefighters Association since his career began until his death and served as a co-chair when the IFA convention was held in Anderson in 1981 and served on several subsequent planning and convention committees in 1981, 1999, and 2003, including one for the Retirees’ Dinners. John was honored by having one of the Madison County Fire Rescue Houses named after him that was also a former residence of his. After retirement, John became an honorary member of the Anderson Firefighters Auxiliary, assisting at working fires and other Auxiliary functions. It has been said that he was a true firefighter’s firefighter. John is survived by his wife of 30 yrs., Debbie (Turner), whom he married May 4, 1985; his two sons, Gary (Kristin Lennis) of Anderson and Ross of West Carrolton, OH; his sisters Helen Davenport (Bill Lawson) of Anderson and Judy Miller of Naples, FL; his grandkids, Brie Condon and Bryn Condon of Indianapolis, Bryon (Lea) Foley of Fishers and their family, and Broc (Lynn) Foley of Utimilla, FL and their family; nieces and nephews Cecilia (Don) Broecker and their family, John (Julie) Grimes, Steve (Shirley) Adams and their family, Sandy Adams and her family, Julie (Royce) Busby, and Troy (Angie) Miller and their family; his in-laws, Ray and Nancy Turner; sisters- and brothers-in-law, Karen (David) Walser and their family, Beth Rediger and her family, Jim Turner (Andrea Semon) and his family, Tim Turner; his beloved four-legged daughter, Patches, who was always at his side; and his former wife, Josie Condon, and former daughter-in-law, Leslie Condon. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother and sister-in-law, Jack (Kacky) Condon; sister and brother-in-law Connie (Jim) Franklin; brothers-in-law John Grimes and Don Davenport; nephew Scott Haston; niece Christine Condon-Ratcliffe; and great niece Jamie Shields Harless. Visitation will be held Monday, May 11, 2015, 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm at Robert D. Loose Funeral Homes & Crematory, 200 West 53rd St. Anderson, Indiana. Services will be at 11:30 am, Tuesday, May 12, 2015, at the funeral home. Burial will take place in East Maplewood Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Madison County Fire Rescue House. www.loosecares.com

John Condon

March 2, 1940 - May 7, 2015