NOTE: Kevin Dusenbury has asked that any Department that plans to take apparatus to the Memorial Service on Friday, please plan to be at the Alliance Church by 9:15 am.

We have received word this morning of the passing of one of the icons of Potter County. Former Austin Fire Chief and Coudersport Paramedic James "CHUB" Plant passed away last night of an apparent heart attack. Chub has been involved in the emergency services field since the early 1970’s having served as a Potter County Fire Coordinator, Deputy Coroner and County LEPC Member.  He also served as both Fire & Ambulance Chief with Austin for many years and was a Paramedic with Coudersport Regional ALS. At this time we do not have any further details. Further information will be posted as soon as it is available.

Our sincerest condolences go out to his family and friends.

Jim L. “Chub” Plant
“PopPop Chub”

Ulysses, PA---Jim L. “Chub” Plant, 66, of Ulysses, formerly of Austin, died Sunday, July 18, 2010 at Ives Run Campground, Tioga County, PA, after suffering an apparent heart attack.

Born May 21, 1944 in Emeigh, PA, he was a son of the Rev. John J. and Elner E. Henderson Plant. On July 25, 1964 in Austin, he married Judy A. Walker, who survives.

Chub was a graduate of Sonestown High School, Sonestown, PA. For several years, Mr. Plant was employed by PennDOT in Austin. He later was employed as a construction worker under Local 824 of the Laborers’ International Union of North America.

In 1996 he graduated from the EmergyCare Paramedic Program in Erie. This was his greatest accomplishment to become a paramedic. He felt he had reached the top and was so proud to wear the medic patch. He was employed by Charles Cole Memorial Hospital in Coudersport as a paramedic from 1996 until 2004 and then was employed by the Coudersport Regional Advanced Life Support.

Mr. Plant was a member of the Austin United Methodist Church. He had previously served as the mayor of Austin, the Borough Police officer in Austin, and had also served as a Potter County Deputy Coroner.

Chub was very devoted to the fire and EMS services for over 45 years, having served as a past fire chief and ambulance chief in Austin, and where he was named fireman of the year. He gave selflessly of his time in helping fire and EMS departments having served as an EMS instructor and fire school instructor.

Chub touched the lives of more people than any of us will ever know.

He loved his dogs Bubba, Annie, and Jessi. He very much enjoyed traveling, camping, boating, and fishing. Chub loved to cook for his family. He loved spending time with his grandchildren. They were the light of his life.

Also surviving are two daughters, Lisa A. (Joe) Karpinski of Coudersport and Amy S. (Wayne) Shreve of Erie; five grandchildren, Kari L. Karpinski, Kaitlyn M. Karpinski, Geoffrey R. Shreve, Kelsey N. Karpinski, and Jennifer L. Shreve; four brothers, Dennis J. “Jack” (Sue) Plant of Millerstown, Donald A. (Jane) Plant of Greeley, Colorado, John J. “Max” (Nancy) Plant of Moultrie, Georgia, Paul D. (Leslie) Plant of Emporium; a sister-in-law, Thelma Plant of Port Royal, PA; his longtime companion, Michele A. Mather of Ulysses and her son Matthew R. Mather of Virginia Beach, VA; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Plant was predeceased by two brothers, John I. Plant and the Rev. Robert J. Plant; and two nephews, Brian Plant and Robert J. Plant, Jr.

In keeping with Chub’s wishes, there will be no public visitation. Friends are invited to share memories on Friday, July 23, 2010 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Coudersport Alliance Church, Coudersport, where a celebration of Chub’s life will be held at 11 a.m. with Pastor Samuel M. Crossley, Care Minister of the Coudersport Alliance Church, officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to an S.P.C.A. of the donor’s choice; an ambulance association of the donor’s choice; or a fire department of the donor’s choice.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse, PA.