Obituary of Donald McIntyre

Donald Ray McIntyre was a dedicated 50-year member of the Walton Fire Department, serving as chief for 30 years. "When we would go on vacation, he wouldn't go. He would always stay back in town. He didn't want to miss anything," said Mr. McIntyre's son, Greg McIntyre of Walton. "The fire department was his life." Mr. McIntyre, 66, of Walton, died Saturday at St. Luke Hospital West in Florence. He served on the board of trustees of the Walton Fire District and was a member of the Walton Firehouse Building Committee. Mr. McIntyre was a member of Walton City Council, Walton Lions Club, Walton American Legion and Walton Baptist Church. He served in the Army as a military policeman. "He was born and raised in Walton, and the fire department was just something he loved," said his son. "Several other family members served on the fire department. It was a family thing." Mr. McIntyre treated all his fellow firefighters like they were family, said his daughter, Michelle Ratliff of Verona. "My dad had the biggest heart in the world," she said. "He loved serving the citizens of Walton. Those firemen were just like his own kids. When it came to taking care of them, he cared for them just like us. "He was a wonderful man. He may have never considered himself a hero, but I think he was a hero to the citizens of Walton and to his friends and family." Mr. McIntyre was always willing to lend a helping hand. "Friends and neighbors who needed help would come to him, and he was always willing to help out," said his son. When the movie "Rain Man" was filmed in Northern Kentucky, Mr. McIntyre and several of his firefighters helped assist the production and served as extras. Mr. McIntyre can be seen in the film, wearing a white coat, in a car wreck scene. Mr. McIntyre's hobby was collecting guns. He was preceded in death by a son, Clarence "Goo" McIntyre, in 2005. Other survivors include his wife of 49 years, Lucille McIntyre; daughters, Sherry Ecklar of Erlanger, Lisa McIntyre of Florence and Donna Townsend of Walton; brothers, George McIntyre Jr. of Glasgow and Tommy McIntyre of Lexington; and 15 grandchildren. Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Chambers & Grubbs Funeral Home in Walton. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Burial will be at New Bethel Cemetery in Verona.