Longtime resident and former fire chief Russell Kreps passes away at 91

He remained in his home 66-plus years, and with the help of his daughters, moved to an apartment across from his daughter Shelley.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life Luncheon at Lemoore Fire Department to say good byes on Saturday, August 19, 2017, at 11 a.m. Russell and Eleanor's ashes will be interred at a mountain cabin owned by the family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Zella Kreps, two brothers, Richard Kreps and Robert Kreps and his wife, Eleanor. He is survived by his brother Roland Kreps (Lucille), their two kids Cheryl and Richard, his son, David Kreps (Christine), his daughter, Lynell Greene (Rod), granddaughter Jennifer (great-grand kids, Brittney, Alisa and Cierra), granddaughter Sherry (great-grand kids Charlie, Bobby and Steven), grandson Shaun (great grand- daughter Leila and Freya), his daughter, Shelley Kreps Gray (granddaughter Erin, great grandkids Allison, Matthew, and Daniel), granddaughter Sharna, (great grandson Caleb). Russell will be deeply missed by many.

Russell grew up in Kettleman City where he attended the local elementary school and was bussed into Lemoore High School, where he was captain of the football team. After high school, he then went into the service to be a pilot, but the service changed that because they thought they were going to be invaded by Europe so then Russell became a radio operator.

Russell and Eleanor were married on September 7, 1946, settled in Lemoore and built a house on Byron Drive where they raised their three kids. Russ worked for Standard Oil for several years and Kings County on Iona Avenue as a welder for eight years then went to work for Beacon Refinery in Hanford where he worked for 36 years until his retirement.

He enjoyed welding toys for his kids growing up like a swing and slide set, merry go round, teeter totter and go cart. A big part of his life was the Lemoore Fire Department where he started as a volunteer fireman and later becoming an EMT and then fire chief, a position he held for ten years. After retiring he did many projects around the house – and for others. He loved having coffee with his group of guys every morning at the senior citizens club in Lemoore.