Burkett spent life trying to give help to others

Those who knew Regi Burkett the best said a couple of traits stood out: Burkett was loyal and always had your back and he fought for what he believed in, even against heavy odds.

Burkett, 62, who spent 39 years as a member of the Century Volunteer Fire Department and served as the department's chief from 1987 to 2017, died Saturday, Aug. 20 at his Century residence.

David Adams, who followed Burkett as Century's fire chief, said he'd known Burkett basically all his life, noting their birthdays were two days apart.

"We grew up a couple of blocks from each other," Adams said. "His dad was our...