Our condolences to the Kickler family and the Pelham-Batesville Fire Department and the Laurens County Fire Department of South Carolina. Assistant Chief Thomas Kickler, 38, an 8 year veteran of the Laurens County Fire Department, and the Assistant Chief of the Pelham-Batesville Fire Department for 1 year, died Monday May 6, 2002. Thomas responded with the Laurens County Fire Department to a double-wide mobile home fire. Afterwards he said he felt ill and thought he might be sick. Later that evening his body was found by a friend in his home.

     Thomas was the former director of Laurens County EMS and a former Greenville County paramedic. He was an athlete and his yearly physical showed no indication of any health problems. However, Thomas was a diabetic and had a large heart and there was also a history of heart trouble in his family, his father died of a heart attack.

     Our brother Thomas leaves behind a son Thomas (10) and a daughter Ashtyn (13). A wake will be held Thursday May 9, 2002 7-9PM and Friday May 10, 2002 2-4PM and 7-9PM at Grays Funeral Home in Laurens. A memorial funeral will be held on Saturday May 11, 2002 2PM at the Laurens 1st Baptist Church in Laurens. Memorial donations can be made to: