LINCOLNTON, N.C. — The Lincoln County community is mourning the loss of South Fork Fire Department Capt. Phillip Connor. 

What You Need To Know

  • Phillip Connor was the captain for the South Fork Fire Department in Lincoln County

  • He died Friday from complications of coronavirus

  • Connor served the station, including taking care of the building and grounds, for 10 years

  • He was key in the purchase of land in front of the station that will be used for a firefighter training facility that will be named after him

Connor, an Air Force veteran, served the department for 10 years. 

His assistant fire chief, Isaiah Herndon, says Connor loved the station and put his effort into making it a better place for his staff and the community. 

"Anytime there was any upgrades to do, paint, roofing, he always made sure it was done right," said Assistant Fire Chief Isaiah Herndon. 

Herndon met Connor a few years ago when he transferred to the station from the Lincolnton Fire Department. 

"He would give you the shirt off his back," Herndon said. 

Connor was sick with coronavirus when Herndon got the call that paramedics were working on him. 

"Going to the hospital was really hard, I knew it wasn't good, but I just couldn't believe it. Having to tell his family was probably the hardest part for me, having to tell his 17-year-old daughter that her dad has passed away​," Herndon said. 

Herndon says thanks to Connor, the land in front of the station will become a new training facility for firefighters. Right now they have to drive to Gastonia or Vale to train, but soon they will be able to run drill just feet away. 

It will be called the Phillip Connor Training Facility, Herndon said.

Services for Connor will be Saturday. Firetrucks will be parked at the Ingles in Lincolnton. A procession will lead the captain from Warlick Funeral Home to Long Shoals Wesleyan Church for the service at 2 p.m.